Meitetsu 500 series

The Meitetsu 500 series (Japanese: 名鉄500系) is a commuter electric multiple unit (EMU) train type on order by the private railway operator Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) for use on Toyota and Inuyama Line services, as well as through services onto the Tsurumai Line of the Nagoya Municipal Subway, in Japan.

Meitetsu 500 series
Replaced	100 series
Entered service	2026 (planned)[1]
Formation	6 cars per trainset
Operators	Meitetsu
Lines served	Inuyama Line Toyota Line Tsurumai Line
Specifications
Car length	20,000 mm (65 ft 7 in)
Doors	4 per side

Background

Details of the 500 series were first announced by Meitetsu on 8 May 2025. The type was developed as a successor for the 100 series,^[2] which has been in use for services running through to the Tsurumai Line since the Meitetsu Toyota Line first opened in 1979. As of 2022,^[update] the 100 series was one of the oldest privately operated train types in Japan to be used on subway line through services.^[3]

Design

Cars will be 20 metres (66 ft) long and have four doors per side. The 500 series will have similar performance specifications to that of the 9500 series.^[1]

The trains are planned to use a silicon carbide-based variable-frequency traction system, offering 35% energy savings over the 100 series.^[2]

Internally, all cars are planned to provide priority seating and wheelchair spaces.^[4]

Operations

The trains are planned for use on Toyota and Inuyama Line services, as well as through services on the Nagoya Municipal Subway Tsurumai Line.^[1]