VIRGIN HYPERLOOP CEO AND CO-FOUNDER DISCUSSES EMERGING MASS TRANSPORTATION TECHNOLOGY

KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- Virgin Hyperloop Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder, Josh Giegel has discussed how hyperloop can bring transportation network into the 21st century and the need for increased investment in hyperloop.

Giegel was at the Transportation and Infrastructure Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee hearing, ‘When Unlimited Potential Meets Limited Resources: The Benefits and Challenges of High-Speed Rail and Emerging Rail Technologies’.

“We can have – in the near future – hyperloop, a new, more efficient, faster, and sustainable component of our national transportation system that brings communities together and opens up opportunities for all,” said Giegel in a statement.

“We aim to create a mass-mobility experience that is available to the broad public.

“Hyperloop is a down payment towards a cleaner, more efficient transportation system, not only for the next decade, but the next century,” he emphasised.

As Congress prepares surface reauthorisation legislation, this hearing is timely to highlight the safety, environmental, and mobility benefits of hyperloop.

Bipartisan support of hyperloop from Members of Congress has been crucial in the forward progression of the industry thus far, but continued support is necessary to deploy a hyperloop system across the United States (US).

Giegel stated that since the US DOT’s guidance issued that hyperloop is subject to FRA safety jurisdiction, legislation should make clear that hyperloop is eligible for funding programmes on the same terms as rail projects.

Further, he also said the Federal government should provide additional funding opportunities for such cutting-edge technologies like hyperloop. Legislation could set aside funds for emerging technology developed in the US.

-- BERNAMA