Even more than 20 years after opening, the Shanghai maglev in China still operates on a 30-km commercial route. Although it has been billed as the world's fastest, no extension has progressed. While the maximum speed in test runs continues to be updated, regular service is generally limited to around 300 km/h.
The Shanghai maglev covers the 30-km route linking Longyang Road Station and Shanghai Pudong International Airport in 7 to 8 minutes, as it has since opening. Its maximum speed was set at 430 km/h when the line opened, and a measured speed of 431 km/h was recognised as a Guinness World Record, but normal service is currently limited to around 300 km/h.
The line has been presented as the world's only high-speed maglev in commercial operation, continuing service through a partnership with a German company. However, the technical barriers are high, and no extension plans have been realised because of low profitability. Although 23 years have passed since the opening ceremony, the commercial route remains just 30 km long.
The Shanghai maglev uses electromagnetic suspension (EMS), requiring control technology to lift the train slightly above the track. The gap must be controlled with precision down to 1/1,000 of a second, but some have pointed out that its speed is not substantially different from that of conventional wheel-based express trains.