In Episode 136 of Speaking Municipally, hosts Troy Pavlek and Mack Male discuss last week's heat wave, the deactivation of the mask bylaw, and fireworks on Canada Day. They also get into the hyperloop.
TransPod recently completed a feasibility study of its proposed hyperloop connecting Calgary and Edmonton. The company says construction of the line would cost an estimated $22.4 billion, plus an additional $6.7 billion for "fixed infrastructure such as stations and other indirect costs." Furthermore, TransPod forecasts "total economic output of over $39 billion" and a GDP boost of almost $20 billion as a result of the project. A test track is planned to launch in 2025 with full construction wrapping up by 2030.
Critically, the company says "it is not expected that public funding will be required" and that it will work to "ensure that the Alberta taxpayers are not financially responsible for the project."
"The problem is, if we build a hyperloop from Edmonton to Calgary, we are never building public high speed rail," Pavlek said, noting that ticket prices on the hyperloop will probably be significantly higher than they would be on publicly funded rail.
TransPod said its hyperloop would carry both passengers and cargo. Tickets would range from $90 for economy class to $150 for business class for the full trip between Calgary and Edmonton.
Photo: TransPod proposes to build a hyperloop from Calgary to Edmonton. (Supplied)