Shanghai Maglev Train

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Shanghai Maglev Train

Locale	Shanghai
Transit type	MagLev
Began operation	January 1, 2004
System length	30.5 km (19.0 mi)
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	2
Operator(s)	Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd.

Maglev train stopping at terminus Longyang Road station

Speed indicator shown in each car

Shanghai Maglev Train (Shanghai Transrapid) (Chinese: 上海磁浮示范运营线; pinyin: Shànghǎi Cífú Shìfàn Yùnyíng Xiàn; literally "Shanghai Magnetic Levitation Demonstration Operation Line") is the first commercial high-speed maglev line in the world. Construction began in March 2001, and public service commenced on January 1, 2004. The train was made in Germany with German technology.

1 Statistics
2 Future
3 Incidents and accidents
4 See also
5 References
6 External links

[edit] Statistics

The line is operated by Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co., Ltd..

The train can reach 350 km/h (220 mph) in 2 minutes, with a maximum speed in normal operation of 431 km/h (268 mph). During a test run on 12 November 2003, the vehicle achieved a top speed of 501 km/h (311 mph). The Shanghai Transrapid project took 10 billion yuan (1.33 billion US dollars) and 2.5 years to complete the 30.5 km (19.0 mi) track.

The train runs from Longyang Road station in Pudong on the Shanghai subway line 2 to Pudong International Airport with an additional, separate track leading to a maintenance facility. The train takes 7 minutes and 20 seconds to complete the journey.

As of May 2008, the one way ticket price is ¥50 (about US$7.00 in 2008) and ¥40 ($5.60) for airline passengers with proof of an airline ticket purchase receipt. A round-trip ticket costs ¥80 ($11.20). VIP tickets cost double.

Operating times: 6:45 to 21:30
Highest Speed: 431 km/h (268 mph) (Normal Times) or 300 km/h (190 mph) (Extend Times)
Run time: 7 mins and 20 sec. in Normal Times, while 8 mins and 10 sec. in extend times
Normal Times is 8:30-17:00, Extend Time is 6:45 to 8:30 and 17:00-21:30
Interval: 15 mins.
Ridership: 20% capacity. ^[1]

[edit] Future

Main article: Shanghai-Hangzhou Maglev Train

Maglev ridership has been below expectations, due to limited operating hours, the short line, the high price of the tickets and the inconvenient location of the Longyang Road terminus in Pudong. There is significant local criticism that the project was showy and wasteful, delivering no practical benefit to residents.^{[citation needed]}

Various extension plans have been proposed. In January 2006, the Shanghai Urban Planning Administrative Bureau proposed an extension to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport via Shanghai South Railway Station and the Expo 2010 site, with a continuation towards Hangzhou. If built, the line would allow transferring between the airports, which are located 55 km (34 mi) apart, in about 15 minutes. The plan for the extension to Hangzhou was approved by the central government in February 2006, with plans for completion by 2010, but work was suspended in 2008 due to public protests over radiation fears.^[2]

[edit] Incidents and accidents

On August 11, 2006, a Maglev train compartment caught fire at 2:40 p.m. after leaving Pudong International Airport to Pudong Longyang Road Station. There were no injuries or fatalities aboard. Investigations into the cause of the fire are still ongoing, while preliminary reports indicated that electrical problems were suspected.