TOKYO (AFP) - Japan is adding environmental awareness and a bit more comfort in the latest version of its celebrated bullet train which comes into service in July.
The new N700 model will be gradually rolled out through 2010 on the line between Tokyo and western Japan, the world's busiest passenger track.
The N700, which cost 260 billion yen (2.1 billion dollars) to develop and build, travels no faster than current bullet trains, reaching a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour (185 miles per hour).
Instead of trying to beat France's TGV in speed, the N700's joint designers -- private companies Central Japan Railway and West Japan Railway -- have invested in improving comfort levels and the environmental performance.
The N700 -- which will stop in Kyoto, namesake of the pioneering environmenal treaty -- will use 19 percent less electricity than earlier models, the designers said as they showed the train to the press this week.
"The substantial reduction in power consumpion and CO2 emissions," a statement said, "contributes significantly to the effort to counter global warming."...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070525/bs_afp/japanrailtransporttravel_070525055328
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