Maglev between Shanghai and Hangzhou

I have been heard that a maglev train line between Shanghai and Hangzhou is planned for a long time. However, with the high investment costs, the project remained controversial. So at that time I just treated it as a rumor and have a strong suspicion on it. Today the good news comes, that is, this plan has been approved by the Beijing government.

Shanghai already has the only commercially operating maglev train in the world, a 31km line to the city’s international airport. Now this maglev will extend to Hangzhou, a thriving commercial and tourist city 200km to Shanghai. The officials says the project would begin construction this year and would cost Rmb 35bn ($4.3bn).The new line is likely to cut the current two-hour journey to Hangzhou to as little as 30 minutes and is expected to be finished its construction in 2008.

The maglev now in shanghai. (Picture from Chinadialy)
It is really good news for me! I am living in shanghai now and my hometown Jiaxing which is just at the middle of the two big cities will be a station on this new Maglev Train Line. It is amazing to be able to get my hometown just about 15 minutes from Shanghai. I just can’t wait it. Moreover, many of my friends are living in Hangzhou now and it is also good news for us. I can image we will get in touch with each other more convenient just like in the same city at that time.