Hyundai's maglev train put on commercial operation

By Park Sae-jin Posted : February 3, 2016, 19:21 Updated : February 4, 2016, 09:39

[Courtesy of Hyundai Rotem]



A magnetic levitation train developed by a train-making affiliate of South Korea's Hyundai Motor was put on commercial operations Wednesday at the country's main international airport west of Seoul.

It marked the second urban magnetic levitation train ever to be commercialized in the world, after Japan’s Nippon Sharyo launched its own service in Nagoya in 2005.

Hyundai Rotem said the unmanned train will carry up to 230 passengers and run at a maximum speed of 80 kilometers per hour on a 6.1-kilometer route between Incheon International Airport and a nearby airport train station. It will be extended later.

Hyundai Rotem has test-operated its magnetic levitation train since it was developed with independent technology in 2006.

With no wheels, magnetic levitation trains use a powerful magnetic field to suspend themselves above a track by about 8 millimeters, reducing noise, vibrations and steel dust compared to conventional trains.

Hyundai Rotem targets exports of its products and technology with full support from the government.

Company officials hope the new train will help Hyundai Rotem improve its financial status. Last year it posted a net loss of 303.5 billion won and operating deficit of 192.9 billion won.

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