Shanghaiist: Discussions over Hongqiao-Pudong maglev back on track, but why?

Shinebox

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:14:54 +0800

Well, if they do build PVG-SHA maglev, I hope they'll make a stop somewhere generally downtown. Building it only as far as Longyang Lu was really retarded. That would be like if New York's AirTrain only went as far as Jamaica, Queens. Zhu Rongji: Thanks for the incredibly expensive novelty that nobody rides!

Bumix

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:07:46 +0800

How about just scrapping Hongqiao airport, taking the money for the Maglev(somebody said 2 billion $) and extending Pudong airport accordingly. Then just lay a new express subway line from the current Maglev terminus to the city center with no intermediate stops. Problem solved. Extending both airports is silly..

James Creegan

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:37:43 +0800

I'm not sure if it's the best way to spend money for a Keynes style economic kickstart. Won't a lot of the money end up going to the Germans who can actually make the thing work? The noise of the maglev is shocking because it's so unexpected and quick- you can't hear anything until it's right on top of you, and then it's gone just as quickly. Not like a subway train or plane that you can hear well before it gets to you, and well after it leaves. Until I see some kind of decibel level info, I'm sticking with my opinion that it's no louder than a truck.

EL JEFE

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:07:44 +0800

Impracticality is a subjective judgement. Expense is different - what's the depreciation? If there's a stop in downtown, I'm all for it. It would be nice to have something that actually serves the residents of the city rather than just gawking tourists.

vadaga

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:52:24 +0800

Moneyinabox and Pirx have both made rather cogent points above. Regarding: 'Our economy isn't quite so flush anymore, Pudong's in danger of sinking and everyday more of Shanghai's heritage is destroyed to make way for either shoddily constructed super-malls or half-empty mega-towers. Considering Shanghai already has the bragging rights associated with having the first commercial maglev in the world, does it really need another one?' Government spending on the maglev will produce jobs for the people who are building it and add more money into the economy. As Pirx said, this is economic stimulus.

skap

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:18:06 +0800

well put lockbox朋友支持

jamar

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 02:35:27 +0800

Yes! But I thought that Hongqiao would become at least a regional hub (serving nearby countries) while Pudong becomes more of a long-haul starting point.

youpii

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:35:29 +0800

learning

youpii

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 01:31:37 +0800

Maybe for leaning the technology? http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/EMALS-Electro-Magnetic-Launch-for-Carriers-05220/

Pirx

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:36:37 +0800

"Its the economy, stupid!" This is part of the economic stimulus. The central government had asked for proposals from the provinces how to spend the RMB 4 trillion. Proposals for spending RMB 35 trillion were received, and some provinces even have not answered yet.... Lacking better ideas, all shelved projects made it back to the agenda. You will always find some Shanghai residents who are against something, as a matter of principle, even if they would eventually benefit from it. Therefore, it is actually quite difficult for a government to take them seriously.

moneyinabox

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:02:20 +0800

Right, first all the facts. Air travel in China is going to continue to astronomically grow in the next 10, 20, 50 years and the government is planning ahead. The idea behind this extension is because Hongqiao Airport is currently being tripled in size. Hongqiao will continue to be the primary domestic airport serving only a few int'l Asian destinations, while Pudong handles most of the int'l traffic. However, logic dictates you must conveniently connect the two airports as Pudong's passenger throughput is only about 50% O&D traffic and it only serves a fraction of the domestic destinations available at Hongqiao. Forcing connecting passengers to use the subway system or buses is horribly energy and time inefficient. 2 billion USD is expensive, but it is an infrastructure upgrade Shanghai unfortunately will need. Moreover, to be perfectly frank, NIMBYism has no leg to stand on in this day and age, either legally or morally. This project is for the greater good of Shanghai, it's continued development, and improving everybody's lot in life. Without something of this scale, convenient air transportation in Shanghai could become a serious issue, which in turn would hurt the economy far greater than the price of the extension. Yes, a couple thousand people will have to be relocated, that is very unfortunate. More will see their property values decline. However, if you haven't yet noticed, this happens ALL THE TIME for a very good reason. Look at the big picture please. If China does NOT continually improve the majority of its citizens' lives year after year, the last thing you will need to be worry about is a few thousand people being relocated and a 160 billion RMB investment.

matryan

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:44:16 +0800

"WE thought it was a bad idea" One ilinformed person does NOT make a "We"

nnikba

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:39:30 +0800

Nope, no tunnel, Imagine the air need to get out of the train in front and be put back, right after. A under pressure tunnel will do, or a 100m diameter too.. kinda expensive...

LoveChinaLongTime

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:07:09 +0800

Reduces sperm count for Shanghainese? Where's the conflict??

xiaochensu

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 18:17:32 +0800

say, can maglev be built underground?

quantumcooney

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:44:36 +0800

Electromagnetic radiation is one of those things that are based partially in fact and partially in paranoia. Waves are harmful (cellphones have been found to reduce sperm count), but whether the maglev produces enough to harm people is really debatable. However, the noise pollution that comes from that isn't. It's like living next to a freeway, if all the freeway's sound was compressed into one giant BANG every 15 minutes. The maglev doesn't float as completely as it should, so it does actually scrape the track at high speeds.

China Jim

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:21:52 +0800

No... the Maglev does NOT sound like a truck passing by. It's more like the roar of a F-1 race car flying over your head when you are standing under the tracks when it is running at it's top speed. I have done this and I can tell you it is VERY LOUD. CJ

James Creegan

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:38:37 +0800

Protests about electro-magnetic radiation are and were shown to be totally unfounded. I've walked underneath the maglev track when the train goes overhead- it sounds a bit like when a truck goes past you at the same distance (let's be honest here, the thing is levitating- why would it be noisy?) Budget concerns though- yep, I see those. It would be kind of cool to Pudong to Hongqiao in, what, 15 minutes(?) but I'm surprised anyone can justify the cost.

Jakob Montrasio

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:27:53 +0800

Yes it does! And a third one from Hengshan Lu to my home would be nice, too.