Stolpe made it clear that he expects an investment of approximately 100 million euros from private industry. "Germany stands for high-level technology and the Transrapid is a symbol of it", said the Minister.

With this scheme above all the subsystems vehicle, drive and operating instrumentation will be further developed, so that the use of the magnetic levitation transport system in passenger traffic will become faster, more efficient and cheaper. It was originally specifically intended for long-distance traffic but will now also be developed for use in suburban traffic. In view of the 37 kilometre-long link planned between the airport and Munich?s main station Stolpe said: "it is time to build it now."

The Bavarian regional transport minister Otto Wiesheu (CSU) welcomed the signing of the agreement. "it is good that the Federal Government is committing itself to Transrapid", said Otto Wiesheu and added similarly to Stolpe: "Germany needs the Transrapid in the country." Otto Wiesheu praised the fact that within the scheme a new vehicle for suburban residents in the Munich area was also to be developed.

He requested that the Federal Government should release the necessary funds in order to rapidly put the plans in place. Stolpe confirmed that in the second half of 2006 the provisional plans could be confirmed and construction could begin as soon as 2007.

From the progress of the pollution-free Transrapid, industry expects better opportunities in international traffic markets. According to industrial representatives the propulsion technology as well as the drive connections in the latest versions are to be improved.

A refinement of the operating instrumentation will make increased traction possible, which is necessary especially for short distances of less than 100 kilometers. According to Siemens successful marketing is realistic at present particularly in the area of rapid point-to-point connections.