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PostNov 09, 2020#176

Virgin Hyperloop completes first test with actual passengers
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/tech/vir ... index.html

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PostNov 09, 2020#177

chris fuller wrote:Virgin Hyperloop completes first test with actual passengers
https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/tech/vir ... index.html
“A hyperloop is an unproven transportation system”

“The test was at 100mph”

“The new West Virginia test facility will not be capable of 600mph”

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PostNov 09, 2020#178

Those people are brave for wanting to ride in an unproven piece of technology.

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PostNov 09, 2020#179

didn't want to be the first to complain, but this reads like another fluff piece to distract from the fact that progress has been glacial. "look, we put some fancy seats in our exorbitantly expensive pod that still goes nowhere at speeds that your moped can match."

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PostNov 10, 2020#180

urban_dilettante wrote:
Nov 09, 2020
didn't want to be the first to complain, but this reads like another fluff piece to distract from the fact that progress has been glacial. "look, we put some fancy seats in our exorbitantly expensive pod that still goes nowhere at speeds that your moped can match."
The guy says by the end of the decade we will see construction start on this. I highly doubt that claim. Until they can prove this thing can go over 600mph safely, not make people sick in doing so (so like they'll have to test this at 625mph for 30 minutes since that will be about what a ride time will be), and have proper safety measures in place (like in the event a tube collapsed), then maybe I will become supportive and believe this could be built. Right now though, I think America would be better suited to invest in a high-speed rail network connecting our cities instead of building something like you would see in Dubai or Shanghai. 

As it current stands, the test tube thing could only get up to 100mph and based on the reaction of the people riding it, it sounds like they were enjoying it like a roller coaster or something like that. That is one thing that will have to be squashed prior to this even becoming a reality. People don't want to feel like they're being launched on a roller coaster. That will be no good way to start a trip. But if that's something people like, then here you go.

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PostNov 10, 2020#181

chriss752 wrote:
urban_dilettante wrote:
Nov 09, 2020
didn't want to be the first to complain, but this reads like another fluff piece to distract from the fact that progress has been glacial. "look, we put some fancy seats in our exorbitantly expensive pod that still goes nowhere at speeds that your moped can match."
The guy says by the end of the decade we will see construction start on this. I highly doubt that claim. Until they can prove this thing can go over 600mph safely, not make people sick in doing so (so like they'll have to test this at 625mph for 30 minutes since that will be about what a ride time will be), and have proper safety measures in place (like in the event a tube collapsed), then maybe I will become supportive and believe this could be built. Right now though, I think America would be better suited to invest in a high-speed rail network connecting our cities instead of building something like you would see in Dubai or Shanghai. 

As it current stands, the test tube thing could only get up to 100mph and based on the reaction of the people riding it, it sounds like they were enjoying it like a roller coaster or something like that. That is one thing that will have to be squashed prior to this even becoming a reality. People don't want to feel like they're being launched on a roller coaster. That will be no good way to start a trip. But if that's something people like, then here you go.
They are saying the “$500 million” test track won’t be able to achieve 600mph. How many billions will they need just to test those speeds?

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PostNov 10, 2020#182

ldai_phs wrote:
chriss752 wrote:
urban_dilettante wrote:
Nov 09, 2020
didn't want to be the first to complain, but this reads like another fluff piece to distract from the fact that progress has been glacial. "look, we put some fancy seats in our exorbitantly expensive pod that still goes nowhere at speeds that your moped can match."
The guy says by the end of the decade we will see construction start on this. I highly doubt that claim. Until they can prove this thing can go over 600mph safely, not make people sick in doing so (so like they'll have to test this at 625mph for 30 minutes since that will be about what a ride time will be), and have proper safety measures in place (like in the event a tube collapsed), then maybe I will become supportive and believe this could be built. Right now though, I think America would be better suited to invest in a high-speed rail network connecting our cities instead of building something like you would see in Dubai or Shanghai. 

As it current stands, the test tube thing could only get up to 100mph and based on the reaction of the people riding it, it sounds like they were enjoying it like a roller coaster or something like that. That is one thing that will have to be squashed prior to this even becoming a reality. People don't want to feel like they're being launched on a roller coaster. That will be no good way to start a trip. But if that's something people like, then here you go.
They are saying the “$500 million” test track won’t be able to achieve 600mph. How many billions will they need just to test those speeds?
My guess is $3 Billion

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PostNov 10, 2020#183

One dollar.

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PostNov 10, 2020#184

The B1M actually got Richard Branson to interview with them regarding the test. Might be a few interesting tidbits in there, but I still think it's a dead end venture:


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PostNov 25, 2020#185


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PostJan 27, 2021#186

A shiny vision, but one that may never become a reality. Actually kind of sad to think about. They're spending ll this money on research and development, design, and more and it may never happen unless it becomes a novelty in Dubai or Shanghai. Even then, safety has to be proven. I'm still not in favor of a test route or even a route being built here in Missouri, or America for that matter. Leave it up to countries where they have money to blow on pet projects like this.

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PostJan 27, 2021#187

I don't know.  I find the technology exciting.  The thought of such a quick commute to KC, Chicago or other cities and the possibility of us being the focus vs losing out on the opportunity.  At some point in our history I am sure there were fears of trains, planes and automobiles.  And, perhaps I am just excited by the shiny video.

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PostJan 29, 2021#188

Revolutionary technology excites me. Blowing millions of dollars on another silver bullet that does nothing except enrich venture capitalists does not excite me. We'd get a lot more mileage out of spending $50mil to acquire housing for all the homeless people in St. Louis, or any number of other direct improvements of residents' material conditions.

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PostJan 29, 2021#189

^^ it's just a train in a tube, but with less capacity. and the commute times are only nominally better than state-of-the-art bullet trains for about 20x the price and 20x the infrastructure. makes no sense.

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PostFeb 20, 2021#190

I wonder if we’re still being mentioned because it’s on the website and journalists aren’t clarifying or if company execs still believe we’re in this.

Didn’t the initiative collapse when STL tried to get Chicago $$?

https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-New ... to-reality


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PostMar 19, 2021#191

CEO of virgin hyperloop was on CNBC this morning and when asked where he sees first routes, he first (and only) mentioned STL to KC (for about $30 per trip)

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PostMar 19, 2021#192

dbInSouthCity wrote:CEO of virgin hyperloop was on CNBC this morning and when asked where he sees first routes, he first (and only) mentioned STL to KC (for about $30 per trip)
As long as we don’t subsidize the thing...


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PostMar 23, 2021#193

dbInSouthCity wrote:
Mar 19, 2021
CEO of virgin hyperloop was on CNBC this morning and when asked where he sees first routes, he first (and only) mentioned STL to KC (for about $30 per trip)
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2021/03/19/v ... cture.html

Fascinating. Funding is critical to this, and I bet they'll go public sometime in the next 5 years. 

He described STL-KC as the "galvanizing" location from inside the company. Which is nice. I think another benefit for Hyperloop picking STL-KC is that they can build the majority of this above ground, as this thing's supposed to parallel the I-70 corridor, likely in the median. This is huge for them as the STL-KC route would act as proof of concept for other markets in more densely-built environments than rural MO. Subsequent build-outs would likely have to utilize underground for extensive lengths - cue The Boring Company, which will also make bank. 

OT but related: Very interested in their mentioning Electric VTOL options, sounds like some are currently in play being funded by SPACs. 

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PostFeb 24, 2022#194

Virgin Hyperloop switches focus from passengers to cargo as it lays off half its staff
https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/22/2294 ... half-staff

Can we just build some real high-speed trains already?

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PostFeb 24, 2022#195

It makes no sense to me that America has decided to pass on being a world leader in high-speed trains. 

Well, it kind of does. The automobile industry became quite a destructive entity here in the U.S. 

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PostFeb 24, 2022#196

^ Will also decide to pass on hyperloop as well.   A lot of chefs in the US infrastructure kitchen make new systems a very expensive proposition.  Heck, A good ol NIMBY fight can dramatically extend a timeline and add significant cost.   Just look at Cali HSR and how many years it has taken to secure Right of Way as well as get Environmental Impact Statements approved.   A lot of players other then the auto industry have  a say and don't necessarily want change either.

The other reality, auto industry really doesn't have to worry as much about the  price of oil as it used too now that industry is pivoting to provide vehicles that rely on either or, combustion engine and electric driver...   

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PostFeb 24, 2022#197

How do the bigger cities get those carpool lanes is that a Modot expense? Seems like we should have had a carpool lane dedicated to bus transit from STL>Columbia>KC and back? 

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PostFeb 24, 2022#198

Diamond lanes would definitely be a State DOT expense since it would be on an interstate.  However, I-70 would have to be widened and I wouldn't put any eggs in that basket in the near future.

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PostFeb 24, 2022#199

sc4mayor wrote:
Feb 24, 2022
Diamond lanes would definitely be a State DOT expense since it would be on an interstate.  However, I-70 would have to be widened and I wouldn't put any eggs in that basket in the near future.
Haven't they been trying to widen I-70 since like the 1970s?

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PostFeb 24, 2022#200

Define trying lol.

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