Time is money on Maglev train

• Source: Global Times
• [02:17 March 18 2010]
• Comments

Pro-Maglev

Although doubts over the Maglev project are prevalent, proponents of the project argue it could help optimize resource allocation in theYangtze River Delta region, that includes Shanghai, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province in the south.

Sun Zhang, professor at the Urban Rail Transit and Railway Engineering Department at Shanghai Tongji University, is one of the proponents. He said construction of the Maglev railway could inject huge momentum into economic development in theYangtze River Delta region.

He said there are currently only two railways lines between Shanghai and Hangzhou, compared to six lines between Shanghai and Nanjing.

"The Maglev railway can also help increase the country's strategic oil reserves because Maglev trains are magnetically driven while airplanes, the Maglev train's biggest competitor, use oil,"he said.

He refuted charges that the Maglev railway damages the environment, saying the noise from the Maglev railway is less than that of conventional trains.

"The truth often lies in the hands of a few. Despite the controversy, I believe the Maglev trains' advantages outweigh the disadvantages,"he said.

Local authorities reportedly believe that the new line would reverse the loss on the 31 km demonstration line, as the extension will bring more passengers.

Song Shengxia contributed to this story