Transrapid, the maglev railway, is one of the central projects being subsidized by federal government. There is no method of land transportation faster than Transrapid, and in addition passengers enjoy the very highest standards in safety and comfort. Its environment- friendly technology also makes it very economical, as it is subject to almost no wear and tear and uses comparatively little energy, making it cheaper to operate than traditional railway systems. Investments required are roughly comparable. The first Transrapid route planned in Germany is the Munich airport link. However, a route in China was the first to commence operations: the inaugural journey in Shanghai took place at the turn of 2002-3 in the presence of the then German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder.

Transportation Infrastructure

The above-average quality of the transportation infrastructure is one of the biggest structural advantages the Federal Republic has to offer. A closely-knit network of interstates and highways, a railroad system that in many places uses the very latest in technology, conveniently located waterways and a whole host of airports provide a high level of mobility for private individuals and businessmen alike. Further expansion of this network and continued modernization of the transportation infrastructure are playing a decisive role in fostering Germany as an economic hub for the future. For this reason the federal government has greatly increased investment in this area. Whereas in 1998 investments in transportation totaled Euro 9.5 billion, in 2002 this figure had risen to Euro 11.5 billion.