Hyper Loop=Over Hyped
The Hyperloop is a new hypothetical way to transport individuals over great distances in the blink of a eye. It is the latest innovation***** from Elon Musk. Recently Chicago to Pittsburgh was named as one of the ten finalists for the first route. Instead of taking 8 hours by car it would take thirty minutes by LOOP.
I thoroughly believe that all communities big or small should embrace innovation and be forward thinking. I applaud Pittsburgh and Chicago for being finalists for this new transportation method. Being the first route will cause tourists from across the globe to visit the various stops on the route. As seen by the Amazon headquarter requirements, fast direct transportation to major hubs is vital to big business. The Hyperloop will only help in this regard.
BUTTTTTTTTT, I am not for it if it means gigantic tax breaks,and government subsidies. Here is where you scream Hypocrite!!!!!!!! because I support Pittsburgh's Bid to get Amazon to build it's second headquarters here. The Amazon headquarters will involve all sorts of tax incentives, shenanigans, and subsidies. They probably will never pay a dollar of taxes to Allegheny County.
I support the Amazon bid because of the jobs it will create. 50,000 jobs is tremendous. Amazon would employ more people than the coal, oil, gas, and solar industries in Pennsylvania combined.
I can't imagine the Hyperloop employing more than 50 individuals at each stop on the route. The system will likely be the most autonomous transportation system in the world. True it will require construction workers but those jobs won't last and between the Cracker Plant, the Airport Renovation, and a potential Amazon headquarter there will not be any local contractors left to do the work. Additionally the Hyperloop will harm the Airport's business so any job gains from it will be offset from job losses in other sectors of the transportation industry.
Ultimately I hope we get the route, being the first of anything in the world has significant advantages I just don't want us giving away the farm for it either.
Footnotes:
****** What the hell are Elon Musk's actual innovations?
****** Solar City loses money every year and he had to bail it out for the company to stay viable. Telsa has never turned a profit. Space X has more shuttles explode than complete their mission. I guess its innovative that he uses government subsidies to personally enrich himself.