Hyperloop NYC-WAS <30 min from city center to city center
Jul 21, 2017, 12:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,374
Hyperloop NYC-WAS <30 min from city center to city center
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...-d-c-hyperloop
Elon Musk Says He Has 'Verbal' OK To Build N.Y.-D.C. Hyperloop
A plan to build an ultrafast Hyperloop tube train has been given "verbal [government] approval" to connect large cities on the East Coast, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk says. He adds that the system would whisk passengers from New York to Washington, D.C., in 29 minutes.
Any idea on how this would affect airlines and Amtrak?
Jul 21, 2017, 1:06 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
I'll believe it when I see it which I anticipate to be sometime around 2050 or later knowing the state and local governments in between that might have something to say about it and can make what should be a relatively short project take forever (see Silver Line extension to IAD, new Hudson River tunnels, etc.).
Jul 21, 2017, 1:24 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
I'd go with $25B (current dollars), 10 years to get approvals, 10 years to build - 2040 with some contingency, at best.
Amtrak's probably not cancelling their next-gen trainset orders quite yet.
Amtrak's probably not cancelling their next-gen trainset orders quite yet.
Jul 21, 2017, 1:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Amelia Island FL
Posts: 66
Not a single government / transit agency has confirmed this
http://jalopnik.com/heres-a-running-...s-o-1797094244
http://jalopnik.com/heres-a-running-...s-o-1797094244
Jul 21, 2017, 1:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
There is no such thing as a "verbal approval" in government permitting. He may have gotten positive response to a pitch but he apparently hasn't even started the EIR process. That and the various permits will take a lot of time, particularly since it would involve multiple jurisdictions. It sounds good but don't hold your breath.
Jul 22, 2017, 11:23 am
#7
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
If this comes to pass, and let's say it comes to pass in 25 years, it's impossible to predict how that affects other transit that's around at that time.
But it bears mentioning that air travel didn't kill train travel on this route and Acela didn't kill regional trains either. It's all a matter of price.
But it bears mentioning that air travel didn't kill train travel on this route and Acela didn't kill regional trains either. It's all a matter of price.
Jul 23, 2017, 6:54 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,757
If Musk's plan comes to pass, I'm seeing it as an Amtrak competitor. But like you mentioned, price is almost everything.
Jul 24, 2017, 7:39 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
The punishingly long time needed to get environmental approvals and overcome other permitting obstacles ("see Silver Line extension to IAD, new Hudson River tunnels, etc.") is a real problem. Musk's pipe dream drawing some attention to that would be worthwhile, even if his discussion of punching 200+ miles of tunnels through some of America's most intensely-developed cities looks comically naive.
His scheme won't be worthwhile if it becomes another futuristic vision (see maglev) that persuades people to hold off on investing in the kind of intercity transportation that the rest of the world knows already works and is busy building: high-speed rail.
His scheme won't be worthwhile if it becomes another futuristic vision (see maglev) that persuades people to hold off on investing in the kind of intercity transportation that the rest of the world knows already works and is busy building: high-speed rail.
Jul 26, 2017, 1:47 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
If this comes to pass, and let's say it comes to pass in 25 years, it's impossible to predict how that affects other transit that's around at that time.
But it bears mentioning that air travel didn't kill train travel on this route and Acela didn't kill regional trains either. It's all a matter of price.
But it bears mentioning that air travel didn't kill train travel on this route and Acela didn't kill regional trains either. It's all a matter of price.