The world's first commercial maglev line, the Shanghai maglev train, has carried more than 200,000 tourists since the lowering of its ticket prices in the middle of last month.

Reacting to poor ticket sales, the operators of Shanghai's maglev train line have cut ticket prices by one third.

The price of a one-way trip has dropped since April 15th from 75 yuan to 50 yuan, about US$6. Return tickets will cost only 80 yuan, but such tickets are mainly meant for sightseeing trips, as both parts of the ride must be taken the same day.

The company discovered sinking in certain areas of the track last month, but it says that the subsidence was within the acceptable design range, and that it will not affect the train's safe running.

The magnetic levitation train cost US$1.2 billion to construct and links Shanghai's new international airport with its eastern financial district.

(CNTA.com May 19, 2004)