Maglev train stopping at terminus Longyang Road station
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.
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 mi) track.
The train runs from Longyang Road station in Pudong on the Shanghai subway line 2 to Pudong International Airport, and the total track length is about 30 kilometres, with an additional, separate track leading to a maintenance facility. The train takes 7 minutes and 20 seconds to complete the journey, and its top operational speed is 431 kilometers per hour.
As of November 2006, the one way ticket price is 50 renminbi (RMB) (about $6.33 US dollars) and 40 RMB (US$5.06) for airline passengers with proof of an airline ticket purchase receipt (plane boarding passes are not acceptable). One-way VIP ticket costs 100 RMB (US $12.66). A round-trip ticket costs 80 RMB (US$10.13).
- Operating times: 6:45 to 21:30
- Highest Speed: 431 km/h (268 mph) (Normal Times) or 300 km/h (186 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]
Future
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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.
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.
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.
See also
References
- ^ Wu Zhong, " China's dented image projects" in Asia Times, June 13th 2007, [1]
External links
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Coordinates: 31°12′14″N, 121°33′14″Ecs:Maglev v Šanghaji de:Transrapid Shanghai fi:Shanghain maglev-juna fr:Transrapid de Shanghai ja:上海トランスラピッド pt:Transrapid de Xangai war:Shanghai Maglev nga Tren
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