What does it cost to operate the Transrapid?

The Transrapid can be operated at considerably lower costs than other comparable traffic systems where the cost of personnel, maintenance, repair and energy are the main factors. All in all, the specific costs of operating the superspeed maglev system are just about half of what operation of conventional railroad long-distance traffic costs.

For example, the non-contact technology is almost non-wearing (the main cause of mechanical wear is friction to which the superspeed maglev system is not subjected). Wearing mechanical components are to a large extent replaced by non-wearing electronic and electromagnetic components, the vehicle's load doesn't act on points (as in the case of axle loads of trains) but on the guideway as line load distributed over the entire length of the vehicle. Additionally, the specific energy consumption (per seat) is lower than that of any other comparable traffic system.