The world’s first magnetic levitation passenger train will begin running on 1 January 2003 in Shanghai, Chinese officials have announced.



The train has reached 500 kilometres per hour (312 miles per hour) in testing and will carry passengers at a top speed above 400 km/h (250 mph).



The Transrapid 08 will transport travellers between Pudong International Airport and Shanghai’s financial district, a distance of 30 kilometres. It will cover this route in just seven minutes. It will be the fastest commercial train in the world.