Shanghai Expat

Travelers and Travel Issues - Maglev Train

laupsinchina - Jan 24, 2006 - 03:28 PM
Post subject: Maglev Train

Has anyone ever taken the Maglev train and if so what are your experiences of it?

brisbanegirl - Jan 24, 2006 - 03:45 PM
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The Maglev train system is really well organised. Buy your tickets on the second floor - 50RMB one way; 80RMB return. Discount of 10% if you have a same day air ticket. Takes 8 minutes to get to the airport from Longyang Station. Very efficient and very fast.

flopsy - Jan 24, 2006 - 03:46 PM
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Also, helluva lot less of a white knuckle ride than the airport road by taxi!

Georgie - Jan 24, 2006 - 04:22 PM
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Its excellent, we use it all the time when travelling to and from the airport. Just be very careful when you return to Longyang station and you take a taxi. The ones waiting at the rank will undoubtedly try to rip you off with an extortionate rate, and will insist on not using their meter. I have been asked 100 rmb for a trip which is normally only 13!. Best to walk to the road and flag one down.

adrenochrome - Jan 24, 2006 - 04:23 PM
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German teechnology Laughing

kiwikells - Jan 24, 2006 - 04:24 PM
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Have to say that it was a cool experience 'flying' above the tracks and seeing the speedo tick over to 431km/h!!! It's well worthwhile, especially if you're on the metro line.

Only downer is the hours of operation. Great for 'normal' daylight hours, but not late night, or sparrow flights....

cks69 - Jan 24, 2006 - 04:55 PM
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not practical and a waste of money...

benkloepfer - Jan 24, 2006 - 05:04 PM
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cks69
what are you talking about? If you are like me and fly with little luggage then its the best way to get out of shanghai. Take the metro to longyang (from PuXi 5 RMB) then take the maglev to the airport (with ticket 50 RMB)

Total 55 RMB and about 1 hour

Let me see you get from Puxi to the airport with less money or time! (assuming you don't have a car and driver)

trip - Jan 24, 2006 - 05:42 PM
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I use it whenever I can... and the extended hours to 9PM are very welcome! The only pain is trying to get your suitcase through the turnstyle at the subway station before hand! Can only recommend it!

Trip

cks69 - Jan 24, 2006 - 05:51 PM
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im sorry...i meant that the billions that the government piled into the thing were not worth it. It was done purely as a means to give Shanghai status.

I don't believe that it is very practical, for all types of travellers, including business travellers and tourists (and they mistakenly advertise that it drops you off in the city center), especially since it shuts at a ridiculously early hour.

dfoo - Jan 24, 2006 - 05:54 PM
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I made a big mistake in not taking the maglev train when I got back here in early Jan... it was pissing with rain that day and I decided to take a cab 'cause I didn't want to walk from the subway station to my place (about 10 minutes walk). Well, that was extra stupid 'cause the cab took over 2 hours to get to my place (close to JingAn temple) due to the rain!!

Quaver - Jan 24, 2006 - 11:31 PM
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Highly recommend going once just for the experience. Leaving HIGHWAY traffic behind in a flash is some experience. After the first ride you decide if/when you want to continue.

armie - Jan 25, 2006 - 03:15 AM
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The maglev is great if you're travelling with little to no luggage. If you are loaded down then it is not a good option. The problem is that it spits you out onto the Metro system which is not baggage friendly. If you then have to do the crossover at People's Square then you are screwed. I did it once with one large suitcase and believe me there is no easy way to negotiate those turnstiles and escalators. If you are travelling light then it's a great way to skip out on the inevitable traffic snarls.

wolfy - Jan 25, 2006 - 08:27 AM
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adrenochrome wrote:

German teechnology Laughing

British invention.

wolfy - Jan 25, 2006 - 08:29 AM
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benkloepfer wrote:

Shuttle bus. 20 odd kuai...

The maglev is a complete white elephant to be honest but it is a cool ride. I love trains and that thing is the best in the world.

benkloepfer - Jan 25, 2006 - 01:25 PM
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True wolfie, I forgot about the shuttle bus. They are actually the best deal and pretty convienent.
And cks69, you are probably right about the waste of government money, but at the same time I try to imagine what the traffic will be like in Shanghai in the next ten years and can't help but wonder if this investment in public transit will eventually pay off (not from ticket sales, but rather from the indirect benefits).

MahamYe - Jan 25, 2006 - 01:58 PM
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Is it true that they was just an initial test of the technology, but the ultimate goal is to connect Beijing and Shanghai by Maglev?

tazman099 - Jan 25, 2006 - 04:16 PM
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Just rode it the other day and was able to snap this picture. I agree though, it is a pain if you have a lot of luggage, especially coming back from the airport where you will have to walk a ways to find a taxi that isn't going to rip you off.

peter2883 - Jan 26, 2006 - 10:29 AM
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Shuttle bus. 20 odd kuai...

The maglev is a complete white elephant to be honest but it is a cool ride. I love trains and that thing is the best in the world.

Wolfy or Anyone out there,

Any idea where does the Shuttle Bus end at? Does it go to Puxi & any idea if it stops in Town (Fu Zhou Road area)? Thanks.

selahbr8.com - Jan 26, 2006 - 11:44 AM
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Took it for the first time the other day, was a great experince. I could not how on time it is... at exactly 7.00.00 am it started and at exactly 7.08.00 it stopped and opend the doors. That was cool. The only the frightened the absolute clackers was the approaching magliev doing the same speed 40 odd cm away coming in the opposite direction.. that shakes the train a bit, but was a cool ride. Worth it very much. Some people almost the same amount of money at a family carnival for only a 1/4 of the experience.

wolfy - Jan 26, 2006 - 02:32 PM
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Peter there are a few different routes. Here are the details :

http://www.chinats.com/air/faq7.htm#t

IgotAquestion - Jan 26, 2006 - 02:35 PM
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when is the earliest maglev to the airport????

there is a shuttle bus a couple of times a day from the back of the hongkou football staduim for 18 kuai - takes jsut over an hour - the earliest leaves at 5;40am

frenchlover1999 - Jan 26, 2006 - 04:15 PM
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By the way, it was a strategic mistake the local government did (but it was a bet, nobody could say for sure at the time) - they should probably have extended line 2 to the airport instead. Much cheaper, much more practical, not a big difference in time for people who need to commute from regular subway to maglev or even get there by cab. But again they made a bet and the Germans did a good sales job, with the idea that if the maglev was not profitable to the airport (it isnt, by very far, even without counting the initial capital investment, just operating costs...), the government should look at it as an experiment and later build lines to Hangzhou and Beijing, which would make more economical sense (perhaps, but now seems even they dont).

ranjan1515 - Jan 28, 2006 - 11:30 AM
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This is probably the best option of going to Pudong Airport if you are travelling light. Experience of high speed on land is fantastic.

ranjan1515 - Jan 28, 2006 - 11:31 AM
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Ranjan

thewalrus - Jan 28, 2006 - 11:53 AM
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Took it yesterday...best 40 kuai I spent! Goo goo goo jooob!

pixelpunter - Jan 28, 2006 - 02:17 PM
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I just took it today, and thought it was awesome! Granted, you've got to do the slog by metro to Longyan, but then you get onto this supercool, superfast train and just watch the rest of the journey get eaten up by speed! WhooHoo!

mikko - Jan 29, 2006 - 01:44 PM
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Don 't forget that from the first morning train until 9.00 a.m., and after the 5.32 p.m. train until the last train at 9.00 p.m. (from both ends) it only goes at 200 KM/hr. Saves a load of electricity going that bit slower.

And saving prohibitive electricity costs is what I was told was the reason for abandoning the idea of extending it to Beijing. But Shanghai Daily last week said that they plan to extend it to Shanghai South Railway Station and on to Hong Qiao Airport. Hence a 15 minutes connection between the two airports. Great.

BTW I can't remember being here in Shanghai in a former life, but I was here for three weeks in August/September 1962 in my present life. Anbodby beat that?

stevep - Jan 29, 2006 - 02:48 PM
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i have taken many fast trains before and i must admit that this's one awesome ride. as far as i m concern, money well spent on this infrastructure. i dreamt i was here in 1961 - must be a real dream during your sleep.

nishi - Feb 04, 2006 - 08:02 AM
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I took maglev last tuesday. Wohooo!!! fast train only 7mins from longyang station to pudong airport. I paid 40 rmb one way

frenchlover1999 - Feb 04, 2006 - 01:12 PM
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Quote:

And saving prohibitive electricity costs is what I was told was the reason for abandoning the idea of extending it to Beijing.

Electricity is cheap in China and this factor was easily calculated in the design stage, not a surprise really.

Andreas - Feb 04, 2006 - 03:12 PM
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As a ride, an attraction, the Maglev is of course a nice experience. Cool speed, cheap fun !
From an energy conversion (sorry, but I'm an engineer Wink

) point of view it's a nightmare. And from a transportation point of view it's about as useful as a screen door in a submarine. I guess everybody that has ever used the Hong Kong Airport express will agree.

Andreas - Feb 04, 2006 - 03:21 PM
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[quote="mikko"]And saving prohibitive electricity costs is what I was told was the reason for abandoning the idea of extending it to Beijing. But Shanghai Daily last week said that they plan to extend it to Shanghai South Railway Station and on to Hong Qiao Airport. Hence a 15 minutes connection between the two airports. Great.[quote]

The energy consumption is one reason why the idea of a Maglev connection between Shanghai and Beijing was abandoned. But it was not the most important one.
Building any railroad connection will only be profitable if you can use the track not only to transport passengers, but also freight.
Now with a Maglev track you can not transport freight efficiently. The relatively higher weight would not only drive the energy costs up exponentially, but also calls for much heavier equipment (cars, lifting coils, moving coils). Add to that the fact that building a Maglev track costs about 3 times more than building a conventional (high speed) railway track.

Trix77 - Feb 04, 2006 - 07:00 PM
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After all this talk on this thread, and since the Mr. and I were in a touristy mood, we did it.
It is incredible. But what was also very nice to watch, was the obvious pride on peoples' faces (Im assuming they were from here). If sucha thing were ever made in Bombay, I'd burst with pride I think... but that's utopian, so I can keep dreaming on.

Ignorance is bliss, so I'll turn a blind eye to the economics. The Walrus and the french Carpenter can continue their little game on those issues.

Did anyone else feel 'sea-legs' after the ride? I dont know if we were imagining it, but both my husband and I felt a bit woozy after the rides.

tmalg - Feb 04, 2006 - 08:29 PM
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American Invention

http://www.calpoly.edu/~cm/studpage/clottich/maglev_hist.html

Andreas - Feb 04, 2006 - 08:32 PM
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Well that explains why it's outdated technology Wink

Domm - Feb 05, 2006 - 09:23 AM
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Hey tmalg,

Quote:

American Invention

http://www.calpoly.edu/~cm/studpage/clottich/maglev_hist.html

You should not source information from websites that obviously contain wrong information:
"1998 - Hamburg to Berlin route will be complete" This route was only discussed and never went into any detail planing phase

Well, concerning the glory of invention I think it is like with most other developments, too: Many scientists in a couple of different countries conduct research in the same field and achieve coalesce results...

But beside this: There can be no doubt, that THIS amazing transportation system here in Shanghai is a German train Wink

frenchlover1999 - Feb 05, 2006 - 11:13 AM
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Quote:

If sucha thing were ever made in Bombay, I'd burst with pride I think... but that's utopian, so I can keep dreaming on.

Have they build sidewalks and paved the roads in Bombay yet? The magic of Democracy.

Quote:

Ignorance is bliss, so I'll turn a blind eye to the economics. The Walrus and the french Carpenter can continue their little game on those issues.

If I were a carpenter
and you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?

If a tinker were my trade
would you still find me,
carring the pots I made,
following behind me.

Save my love through loneliness,
Save my love for sorrow,
I'm given you my onliness,
Come give your tomorrow.

If I worked my hands in wood,
Would you still love me?
Answer me babe, "Yes I would,
I'll put you above me."

If I were a miller
at a mill wheel grinding,
would you miss your color box,
and your soft shoe shining?

If I were a carpenter
and you were a lady,
Would you marry me anyway?
Would you have my baby?
Would you marry anyway?
Would you have my baby?

Sorry I am in one of those crooning moods today.

Trix77 - Feb 05, 2006 - 12:34 PM
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Are you crooning to the Gallahagar Walrus? or me? If it's the latter, it's a nice song, but sorry I already have a ring around my finger. Albeit, an indo-franco baby would look rather cute.

In case YOUR classics are rusty, I was referring to Lewis Carrol's CLASSIC Alice in Wonderland.

yu888 - Feb 07, 2006 - 02:02 PM
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Actually after 5:30pm, the Mag lev travels at 300km/hr not 200 as mentioned earlier.

While the cost of building this thing was probably pretty astronomical, now that its built, we shoudl utilise it to get more efficiency out of it. I personally found the ride to be very nice. COmfortable and convenient too, especially now with its extended hours.

wolfy - Feb 07, 2006 - 03:20 PM
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tmalg wrote:

American Invention

http://www.calpoly.edu/~cm/studpage/clottich/maglev_hist.html

Rubbish! I don't know where you dug that bogus site up from...

Professor Eric Laithwaite of Imperial College in London designed the first magnetically levitating high-speed train in the 1950s.

Quote:

Laithwaite's ideas, of no use to the British Government, were rapidly picked up by the Japanese and Germans as the oil crisis began to bite. Undaunted, Laithwaite continued to develop his theories and soon replaced the hovercraft principle with magnetic levitation. This relied on the repelling power of like poles of magnets to lift and move a craft along a track at speed. Although "Maglev" trains were relatively cheap, only one was built in Britain, at Birmingham airport. Japan and Germany were again quicker to see the benefits.

For the next 20 years, the costs of Maglev and controversy surrounding Laithwaite's thinking on other scientific matters (notably the propelling qualities of gyroscopes) meant his work on linear motors was ignored.

Magnetic levitation was relegated from the frontier of technology to a place as one of Q's toys in the James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) - Major Boothroyd uses it to propel a tray at decapitating speed.

http://www.keelynet.com/gravity/laithobi.htm

DragonAss - May 03, 2007 - 04:02 PM
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Does anyone have its timetable??

chingiskhan - May 04, 2007 - 01:55 AM
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Lived in Shanghai for 2 years and only took it for the first time last month. It was very cool. I had no luggage and was going to Nanjing East so it was quick and easy. My only complaint was it was too short (7 minutes) and was over almost before it began. Of course it's disappointing it doesn't extend to the downtown area and the MUCH SHORTER subway part of my journey took longer than the airport to Longyang part, but I was very impressed nonetheless.

nettyli - May 04, 2007 - 09:21 AM
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Only took it once, as a visiting guest had read about it and wanted to try it. It's clean and fun, but a real nightmare once you get off, as you are surrounded by taxi drivers. Its also not convenient for me, as I lived in Gubei as I then have to take a cab anyway, to get home.

DragonAss - May 04, 2007 - 01:13 PM
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I need a quick ride to get to the airport as I have flight to catch after arriving from Nanjing by train. My only concern is that the train may only take 7 minutes, but waiting time was like 20-30 minutes last time I was there.

buttercookie - May 05, 2007 - 09:40 PM
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the train comes at 15min intervals.. i've been on it trice and have never waited more than 15mins..

answerer - May 06, 2007 - 01:08 AM
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I think they say it's 20min intervals between departures. I've been on it quite a few times and from Longyang -> PVG follows the on-the-hour, 20 after and 40 after. So 7:00, 7:20, 7:40, 8:00 and so on.

DragonAss - May 06, 2007 - 12:42 PM
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ahaa.... that's very helpful... thanx a lot, guys. I will try to get there on time 'coz I have like 2 hours before the flight, but that's if my train fron Nanjing didnt get delayed which I pray it wouldnt...

I missed this flight, I would miss the connecting flight and I wouldnt be on time for my appointment in jakarta the following morning... what a mess... Sad

currychook - May 08, 2007 - 07:48 PM
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Few things for improvement-
a) a conveyor belt could be installed on the second storey platform corridor to the Maglev station. Better signs and a better maintained corridor (that wasn't littered with rubbish)
b) lifts to allow passengers with heavy luggage to access ground floor from Longhua station stop.
c) Service staff should be better trained at crowd control when getting down escalators to Maglev boarding platform.
d) Seating system for passengers so that there is no dispute during rush hour.
e) Announcements in at least four different languages (for newbies) so that people know where to proceed from Longhua station.
f) Seperation of airport passangers (with luggage) and Chinese tourists (who just come to gawk) into different carriages - again ticketing system!
g) clear standing lines and porters to help with passengers trying to get on the f*king train.

chingiskhan - May 09, 2007 - 02:59 PM
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Yeah that's why there isn't another similar maglev route anywhere in the world. A nice idea but not very practical in terms of cost effectiveness. A pity as I would love to have seen a Beijing to Shanghai maglev which would really be a real alternative to flying.

guel27 - May 11, 2007 - 08:34 PM
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Shanghai Pudong Airport Maglev Schedule

First train: 8:30 am
Last train: 5:30 pm
intervals: 20 minutes
ticket price: 40rmb

Highest speed: 430km/h
Trip distance: 30 km
Single trip: 8 minutes

Soraya - Aug 04, 2007 - 11:14 PM
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What time does the earliest Maglev train leave on a Sunday morning to Pudong Airport?

Lordlunchalot - Aug 05, 2007 - 02:28 AM
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My guess would be:

guel27 wrote:

Shanghai Pudong Airport Maglev Schedule

First train: 8:30 am
Last train: 5:30 pm
intervals: 20 minutes
ticket price: 40rmb

Highest speed: 430km/h
Trip distance: 30 km
Single trip: 8 minutes

Do you have a reason to doubt guel27?

bond - Aug 05, 2007 - 08:34 AM
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You can doubt the above information if it is in fact wrong.
Maglev: Starts at 7am everyday. Last Train at 9pm.

jenv - Aug 05, 2007 - 11:42 AM
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Take the Maglev for the experience. Just did on Monday. For convenience, cab was actually quicker. by the time you schlep yourself and luggage (only had one small bag) to the station, quite a walk, buy ticket wait for train, change to subway or cab at the other end. (had to get cab as our hotel was too far from subway) Get to nearest subway, schlep the rest of the way to your hotel...cab was quicker. For 1 person, Maglev would be cheaper, but for 2 or more, taxi was about 50 rmb more but easier and quicker. the whole Maglev experience from go to wo took over an hour.

guel27 - Aug 06, 2007 - 06:50 PM
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maybe the schedule have changed, i got that schedule from one of the train websites

Animeisco - Aug 07, 2007 - 08:38 PM
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Agree with the above, take Maglev for experience. It's a really cool and fun ride. Not to be missed...

Renovator - Aug 07, 2007 - 09:05 PM
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You often see discussions about should I live in Pudong or Puxi? Our offices used to be in Puxi and the Maglev is one of the reasons we moved our offices to Pudong Century Patk area. With monthly travel between US East Coast and Shanghai, it is now possible to still arrive early enough to get some work done during normal business hours by taking the short Maglev trip to Pudong rather than a cab or bus or combo Maglev/Subway to Puxi and arriving an hour or more earlier to Pudong than it used to take us to Puxi. Sooooo much more relaxing too. What a treat at the end of a long trip. With lots of luggage, the elevators are not that convenient, but the Maglev staff has always been very helpful and accomodating when I arrive with 5 pieces of luggage, 3 of which weigh 30 kg a piece.

waingro - Aug 10, 2007 - 07:14 PM
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once line 2 subway gets extended to both Pudong and Hongqiao airports by 2010, the maglev will become a useless gimmick

leidelaohu - Aug 11, 2007 - 11:12 AM
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waingro wrote:

once line 2 subway gets extended to both Pudong and Hongqiao airports by 2010, the maglev will become a useless gimmick

I disagree .... first, the maglev takes seven minutes, the subway is going to take at least a half hour. When you're late, an extra twenty minutes can be important. Second, the subway and luggage, well ... yuck. Third, while I absolutely despise face projects, this one makes sense. If I were running a business in Shanghai trying to convince the outside world that we were bright, smart, and hep to the jive, there'd be no better way than meeting incoming businessmen at Pudong and taking them to town on the maglev. At 150 rmb it was stupid but at 50, it's good. And even the dumbest suit, one who wouldn't know the difference between an effective spc system and a tomato, is going to be favorably impressed by a ride on the world's fastest wheel-less train with that lovely "431 kph" display. Talking is one thing but a ride on the maglev is walking the walk. Credibility.

(Undeserved credibility because the germans built it with money funneled into shanghai from the entire peasant population of China but what the heck. Whoever said advertising had to be honest ?)

miti - Aug 11, 2007 - 11:29 AM
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Love the Maglev. But if you have lots of luggages to carry, probably not the best option to get in town.

Wish it came all the way to Puxi.

Sun09 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:00 AM
Post subject: Longyang station in waking distance from maglev terminus?

Hi folks,

is Longyang station in waking distance from maglev terminus?

Thanks for your help

Sun

Jay20 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:04 AM
Post subject: Re: Longyang station in waking distance from maglev terminus

Sun09 wrote:

is Longyang station in waking distance from maglev terminus?

Long Yang Rd. Metro station? Below the Maglev terminal.

Renovator - Feb 09, 2009 - 02:51 AM
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When you get off the subway at Longyang subway stop it is about a 3 minute walk to the entrance of the Maglev station which is in the adjacent building on the second floor. To save time, use your 交通卡 to pay for Maglev ride rather than wait in line to buy ticket, this gives you an rmb 10 discount as well or you can get the discount by showing a same day airline ticket when you buy a ticket at the booth.

Although the ride is fast between LongYang Rd and the airport allow for sufficient time as the trains run about 20 minutes apart so if you just missed one it could be a little while before the next one comes along.

Zak101 - Feb 09, 2009 - 10:31 AM
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Excellent picture Tazman from 06. Love the tilting rail that pushes you into the seat maybe 1.5 G.

Took my 21 y.o. daughter on it and she was amazed and thanked me for the experience.

Gave her a completely new view, discarding the shacks,rubbish and viewing the New York of China. I wanted to show her the best and worst of where Dad lives near here.

Z.

jeffinflorida - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:25 AM
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Maglev is cool no doubt. There is no doubt that ending it at Longyan station is a complete waste when it would have done much better to go into the city and then could have been touted like an Airport Express like in Hong Kong.

Having to take line 2 and then change is ok if you are not carrying bulk. Carrying anything heavy onto the subway is total lack of convenience for anyone.

Taking a bus or taxi from the airport to the city? At least a good hour or more and we know the traffic sucks at any hour...

How much did the Chinese spend to build it?

Me_Again - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:41 AM
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While the Maglev is cool, it certainly isn't viable.

I work for the same parent company of the one that co-built the maglev, I was talking to one of their Directors at a meeting last year, they have zero business anywhere in the world and will likely be shutdown sooner or later. In fact the Maglev line in Munich is already terminated.

8lrr8 - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:42 AM
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^ ~10billion rmb at the time.

bigroh73 - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:43 AM
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Which brings me to the point.......why didn't they do that in the first place.??? Because it cost so much??

And, when, will they eventually extend it any further.??
I know they did announce big plans for this last year, but so many apartment owners complained about the close proximity of the extended line to their house that the govt was embarrassingly forced to back down - although they painted a positive view of it.

I love it, but it would be great if it was a bit closer to downtown. Longyang Lu is far from what anyone could call "downtown" - as it is written in all the tourist info.

jeffinflorida - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:49 AM
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8lrr8 wrote:

^ ~10billion rmb at the time.

Damn thats a lot of pork.

I agree that for that amount of money it's an elephant and based on it's current location and limitations it has limited usefulness and perhaps lifespan.

8lrr8 - Feb 09, 2009 - 11:58 AM
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jeffinflorida wrote:

I agree that for that amount of money it's an elephant and based on it's current location and limitations it has limited usefulness and perhaps lifespan.

i'd say they really messed up on the termination station. if they have put it closer to the huangpu river, it'd get a lot more passengers.

it seems to be running at ~50% passenger capacity on average, which is a lot better than what it was when it first opened (maybe 20%?). i wonder how full it needs to get in order for 'em to break even just on operating costs, never mind recouping back their initial investment.

Zak101 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:07 PM
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Putting the MAGLEV from Pudong to downtown Shanghai would be umm a genius idea. The Gov. obviously realises this, but who has the balls to finance or organise this ?

Stopping at Long Yang is an obvious embarassment.

And 24 hours a day on the MAGLEV requires few drivers - and they aren't expensive. More jobs.

Flights arrive 24/7 into PVG- tap,tap - we need service, and we're happy to pay.

With you 8L.

Z.

8lrr8 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:17 PM
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bigroh73 wrote:

And, when, will they eventually extend it any further.??
I know they did announce big plans for this last year, but so many apartment owners complained about the close proximity of the extended line to their house that the govt was embarrassingly forced to back down - although they painted a positive view of it.

dont think the current line will be extended. i do remember reading about a route fom SH to hangzhou was finally approved despite the complaints from some of the public, as well as a line to BJ. the line to hangzhou i think is scheduled to be completed by 2012, and maybe 2015 for the BJ route.

8lrr8 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:20 PM
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^ the wiki article gives a 2014 completion date for the SH/hangzhou line.

chingiskhan - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:44 PM
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I am pretty sure the BJ line is a normal rail ine NOT Magnetic Levitation technology. It's a pity because that 14 hour journey would be perfect for this technology, but the cost is prohibitive. The new line I think is a high speed rail link and will cut the journey from 13-14 hours down to about 5 or 6 hours.

8lrr8 - Feb 09, 2009 - 12:48 PM
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^ i think u're right. i mistakened the bullet-train for the maglev.

bigroh73 - Feb 09, 2009 - 02:07 PM
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Yeah - they are already building the very fast SH-BJ line. Its not a Maglev. BJ trip will be about 5hrs, which is pretty good. Its due for completion in a few years time. Its more like a bullet train than anything - but speeds are still well over 200km/hr. But the tickets won't be too cheap - perhaps just a bit lower than a 1-way air ticket.

Hangzhou line will take 2yrs to complete (article today in ShDaily). Trip will take about 40mins.

Me_Again - Feb 09, 2009 - 03:01 PM
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Don't forget that the Maglev uses way more power than an average train, and has a lower load capacity. The drivers were sent overseas, at cost, to be specially trained how to drive the thing.

karinalee - Feb 09, 2009 - 03:08 PM
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the magleve is perfect for little to no luggage.

for business trips, with luggage, i pay 150 rmb for car pick-up (from pudong). comes to my place to pick me up, take my luggage and send me to airport in a nice car with leather seats and no cigarette smells.

fees from puxi is 160 rmb. there are no additional charges, traffic jam or not.

hassle free; and they can get you a bigger car if you have more luggage.

what i hate most when i take a taxi from pudong aiport to pudong ave is that taxi drivers complain that it is a loss to send me, after waiting for hours and hours at the waiting line. it happened 4 out of 5 times.

one guy was so upset with me paying with my transport card coz they cannot play majong without cash..

another guy made me lie to the guy who records the taxi leaving the airport about my destination..

i avoid taxis whenever i can.

chingiskhan - Feb 09, 2009 - 03:37 PM
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More worrying that the cigarette smells - the last 3 times I took a taxi from Pudong the drivers were driving like maniacs weaving in and out of lanes, driving within inches of the car in front before switching lanes etc I was genuinely concerned (and I don't scare easy). It doesn't seem to be the same with the drivers from Hongqiao airport. Maybe because the traffic prevents them driving fast.

jeffinflorida - Feb 09, 2009 - 04:43 PM
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They started a new train from Shanghai to Beijing and it is the D train - all bullet train takes about 10 hours. Stops in Wuxi only.

Reggin - Feb 09, 2009 - 04:56 PM
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Every airport I try to pick taxi at the departures level. They are happy for business without waiting in line, I am happy for them...

Zak101 - Feb 09, 2009 - 06:57 PM
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Jeff, I didn't know about the D trains until Mrs. Zak and I got one from Suzhou to Nanjing, then back June last year.

I thought it would be with chain smoking Leroy and his baggage at 40 km/h.

200 km/h in China on a train bespokes first world transport quality and 3 minutes stop at each station.

Sometimes they do things right. Plus a bar in the train.

And no smoking in the toilet (funny, they have smoke dectectors) then they'll stop the train automatically and scold the offender.

I'm actually astonished despite my cynicism at the China cynics club. I'm a life member there.

Z.

jeffinflorida - Feb 09, 2009 - 09:00 PM
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Zak D train is worth the extra few dollars. And if those have not figured this out - if you buy a soft seat / first class ticket most cities have a special waiting room that is not crowded and has nicer seats.

TIP TIP TIP If you are a foreigner you can usually go in there even with regular class tickets. Just remember to smile at the girl as you enter and be nice. They very rarely say no to foreigners entering the first class / soft seat waiting room.

joshuasrand - Feb 23, 2009 - 09:13 AM
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Can anyone please help me figure out how to get to Jiaxing from the PDX airport using mass transit, I read in the thread that the Maglev stops running at 9pm. My flight comes in at 9:30pm. Thanks

Renovator - Feb 23, 2009 - 09:52 AM
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joshuasrand wrote:

Can anyone please help me figure out how to get to Jiaxing from the PDX airport using mass transit, I read in the thread that the Maglev stops running at 9pm. My flight comes in at 9:30pm. Thanks

You will be taking the train from the South Railway station to JiaXing. There are several options. You can spend the night at motel 168 Pudong airport and then venture out the next day. You can take Airport Bus number 2 (not sure what time last bus leaves) to Jing An Temple and then taxi from Jing An Temple to South Railway Station (about rmb 40). You can take the airport hotel bus to one of the downtown hotels and then work your way to South railway station from the hotel. You can take a cab from PVG to South Railway station. You can get to LongYang road by bus and take subway line 2 to peoples square and then change to line 1 to South Railway Station.

Much depends on how strapped you are for cash and how much time you want this venture to take and how much luggage you have with you to be able to pick the best option.

joshuasrand - Feb 23, 2009 - 10:58 AM
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Thanks Renovator, I will definately take your direction. Probably figure the bus 2 to South Railway, there is a train that leaves the train station at 23:00 so I should have enough time to get there. I will be living in Jiaxing for two years from Minneapolis. Very excited... Thanks again!

Renovator - Feb 23, 2009 - 11:12 AM
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If your flight comes in at 9:30PM, you will never make an 11PM out of Shanghai South Railway station. It can easily take 45 minutes from time you land until you are out of airport. 30 minutes if your bags come out first, but can take up to 1 hour if delays in customs, baggage etc. Bus 2 to Jing An Temple will take about 1 hour at that time of night. Taxi from Jing An to South railway station including time to find cab expect about 15-20 minutes. From landing time to South Railway station using this option, I don't think you will beat 2 hours.

Renovator - Feb 23, 2009 - 11:24 AM
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PS:Last airport bus 2 leaves Pudong Airport 11PM

joshuasrand - Feb 23, 2009 - 12:13 PM
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Thanks I will make a plan B.

RSBakshi - Feb 23, 2009 - 01:02 PM
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There is a direct bus from Pudong Airport to South Railway Station. It is either Line 6 or Line 7.

RSBakshi - Feb 23, 2009 - 01:03 PM
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and Ya, You can get bus until 11 PM.

Zak101 - Feb 23, 2009 - 04:39 PM
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Last time I took a transit bus from Pudong to Shanghai Railway Station, it broke down half way. All the passengers grumbling.

I and 3 other Chinese guys immediately got a taxi, put our bags in the trunk (boot) and shared the fa piao. That was fun.

Got to be flexible and patient about these little annoyancies.

Z.

greenmark - Feb 23, 2009 - 07:15 PM
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chingiskhan wrote:

talldiver - Feb 23, 2009 - 08:45 PM
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Quote:

Hmmn, the maglev might be good for BJ but it isn't quite perfect. I can think of a few alterations that would make it better...
- the trains themsleves should be made so that they can be transferred to other destinations, or it can be run along alternative routes if the line was blocked

meaning a whole new entirely hybrid maglev/conventional system would have to be developped

- the line itself along the route needs to be raised higher off the ground, so that it is further away from people who might be disturbed by the noise
- if the line is really high, then it can travel where the air is thinner and so there would be less air resistance

I like the idea of having concrete pylons going up about 3000m to where MAYBE airresistance might be a tad lower - that is going to endear the project to residents no end, not to speak about making the the day for cement companies.... other aspects come to mind when picturing this line, eg. escape routes (maybe slides?)

- they should use existing infrastructure if possible - it would be really great if they did not have to build new tracks along the way

this one jives rally well with the recommendation just above; having to find a pre-existing low air resistance rail-line will limit the appliction of this technology...

- it should link up with the existing maglev line as well, maybe at the airport
- of course, it has to be no more polluting than air travel at the moment, otherwise what's the point.

If only we had the technology

overall I am afraid that if we hope for the above described technology to come to life, we may as well ask Scotty to beam us to destination. That would be technology that would probably already be mature by the time the new style hybrid maglev/conventional train in the clouds rolls into the station...

bigroh73 - Feb 23, 2009 - 09:49 PM
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What planet is this guy from???
This guy is hilarious - my comments in bold.

Quote:

- the trains themselves should be made so that they can be transferred to other destinations, or it can be run along alternative routes if the line was blocked
SO, WE SHOULD BUILD ANOTHER LINE SO THE TRAINS CAN BE TRANSFERRED?? KEEP IN MIND THAT THE MAGLEV TRAINS DO NOT RUN ON NORMAL RAIL LINE TRACKS

- the line itself along the route needs to be raised higher off the ground, so that it is further away from people who might be disturbed by the noise
HOW MUCH HIGHER SHOULD IT BE?? THE EXISTING LINE TO BJ SHOULD BE RAISED 30FT IN THE AIR?? HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO DO THAT...GIVEN THAT THE TRACKS ARE A DIFFERENT TYPE.
OH - HANG ON - THERE ARE 20 MILLION MIGRANT WORKERS WITH NO JOB - PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

- if the line is really high, then it can travel where the air is thinner and so there would be less air resistance
MAKE IT HIGHER WHERE THE AIR IS THINNER.???
DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW HIGH IT MUST BE BEFORE THE THINNER AIR IS NOTICEABLE?? THAT MUST BE A FEW THOUSAND FEET, RIGHT??

- they should use existing infrastructure if possible - it would be really great if they did not have to build new tracks along the way
YEAH, LETS PUT THE MAGLEV TRAIN ON EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE - THAT WILL WORK....RIGHT GUYS??? WE DON'T NEED SPECIAL TRACKS FOR THE MAGLEV......

- of course, it has to be no more polluting than air travel at the moment, otherwise what's the point.
WELL OF COURSE - ANOTHER MAGLEV THAT DOES NOT RUN ON AVIATION FUEL - IT MUST BE CLEANER!!!

If only we had the technology

I HAVE A DREAM........

Rolling Eyes

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