China travel info - Maglev - Shanghai Electromagnatic Leviation Train

Shanghai Maglev

On the last day of 2002, China became the first country in the world to have a commercial maglev (electromagnetic levitation train) line in operation when the Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and visiting German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder cut the ribbon to start the trial run of Shanghai's glistening new maglev train. The 30-kilometer (18-mile) Transrapid Maglev Line links Longyang Road Station east of Huangpu River with Shanghai Pudong International Airport in just eight minutes. Shanghai's adoption of maglev is the first commercial application of the German technology, which uses electromagnetic levitation to whisk a train at speeds of up to 430 km/h (267 mph). The high speeds are possible because there is no friction. Rather than conventional steel wheels on rails, the maglev train glides just above the guide rails.

The maglev line took the German and Chinese scientists and engineers two and a half years to complete at a cost of about 10 billion yuan or $1.2 billion US. The Transrapid consortium, which includes the German government as well as Siemens and ThyssenKrupp, is keen to win further projects in China for its maglev technology.

Current fare costs 50 Yuan ($6 US) one way and 80 Yuan roundtrip ($10 US). If you are an air traveller with a paper ticket you will be offered 20% discount on the spot. Electronic air ticket holders are out of luck.