Cost
"Maglev operating costs will be only 3 cents per passenger mile and 7 cents per ton mile, compared to 15 cents per passenger mile for airplanes, and 30 cents per ton mile for intercity trucks. Maglev guideways will last for 50 years or more with minimal maintenance, because there is no mechanical contact and wear, and because the vehicle loads are uniformly distributed, rather than concentrated at wheels." - 21st Century Science Tech
Fun Facts
"The first practical Maglev system was proposed and published by us in 1966."
"Japan has spent more than $2 billion in developing its Maglev system, and Japan Railways’ Maglev vehicles have clocked over 200,000 kilometers on the Yamanashi guideway, carrying tens of thousands of passengers"
"Maglev has major safety advantages over highway vehicles, trains, and airplanes. The distance between Maglev vehicles on a guideway, and the speed of the vehicles, are automatically controlled and maintained by the frequency of the electric power fed to the guideway. There is no possibility of collisions between vehicles on the guideway. Moreover, since the guideways are elevated, there is no possibility of collisions with autos or trucks at grade crossings."
"Japan has spent more than $2 billion in developing its Maglev system, and Japan Railways’ Maglev vehicles have clocked over 200,000 kilometers on the Yamanashi guideway, carrying tens of thousands of passengers"
"Maglev has major safety advantages over highway vehicles, trains, and airplanes. The distance between Maglev vehicles on a guideway, and the speed of the vehicles, are automatically controlled and maintained by the frequency of the electric power fed to the guideway. There is no possibility of collisions between vehicles on the guideway. Moreover, since the guideways are elevated, there is no possibility of collisions with autos or trucks at grade crossings."