In cooperation with the Shanghai municipality and the Shanghai Maglev Transportation Development Co. (SMT), German Transrapid constructed the first commercial maglev railway in the world in 2002, from Shanghai's Longyang Road subway station to Pudong International Airport.

Commercial operation started in 2003 . The 30 km trip takes 7 minutes and 21 seconds and reaches a maximum speed of 431 km/h (267.8 miles per hour).

Shanghai Maglev Train 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 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 (267 mph). During a test run on 12 November 2003 , the vehicle achieved a top speed of 501km/h, which currently stands as the speed record for Transrapid vehicles. The Shanghai Transrapid project took 10 billion yuan (1.2 billion US dollars) and 2.5 years to complete the 30.5 km (19 miles) track.

The train runs from Longyang Road station 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 June 2005, the one way ticket price is 50 China Yuan Renminbi (RMB) (about $6.33 US dollars) and 40 RMB (US$5.06) for airline passengers with proof of an airline ticket purchase. One-way VIP ticket costs 100 RMB (US $12.66). A round-trip ticket costs 80 RMB (US$10.13).

Operating times: 7:00 to 21:00 Highest Speed: 431 km/h (Normal Times) or 300 km/h (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 7:00 to 8:30 and 17:00-21:00 Interval: 15 mins.

Source: Chinadiscover.net

Editor: Feng Hui