A maglev line through Kyoto on the way to Osaka would have about twice the economic effect as the currently planned course through Nara, according to an estimate by the city of Kyoto released Wednesday.

The estimate shows that a maglev line using Kyoto Station would give the city and surrounding areas annual benefits of ¥81 billion and attract 5 million more passengers from the Tokyo metropolitan area.

In Kyoto Prefecture alone, the economic impact is estimated at ¥59 billion, while Nara Prefecture would see an ¥11 billion ripple effect, northern Osaka Prefecture would gain ¥7 billion and southern Shiga Prefecture ¥4 billion, according to the estimate.