Japan's new Tsukuba Express train, connecting the "science city" of Tsukuba with Tokyo, made its first run Wednesday.
Tsukuba is a center for technological research founded in the 1970s when the government moved research labs outside of Tokyo.
Ceremonies to commemorate the launching of the train service were held Wednesday morning at four stations along the 36-mile line, including Akihabara and Tsukuba, with officials from local bodies along the line celebrating the opening, the Mainichi Shimbun reported Wednesday.
The Tsukuba Express has six carriages including one for women only. Its maximum speed is 80 mph and it can make the $10.40 trip between Tsukuba and Akihabara in 45 minutes.
It is also equipped with an automatic train control system similar to the safety devices used on Shinkansen bullet trains.
A total of between 12 and 16 trains per hour will run during peak times. The cheapest ticket, taking passengers up to 1.8 miles, costs $1.40.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
