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Hyperloop One Completes Test Track; Details US Route Network Proposals

Emily McNutt
Emily McNutt
Contributor
April 07, 2017
•
3 min read
Elon Musk's High Speed Train Concept Company Hyperloop One Holds First Public Test Run
Hyperloop One Completes Test Track; Details US Route Network Proposals
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The reality of Hyperloop coming to the US is getting closer and closer. This week, Hyperloop One met with policymakers in Washington, D.C. to propose its 11 teams, which would service 35 cities in the US. The 11 teams are proposing plans to compete with 24 others around the world. Hyperloop One will select 12 finalists before choosing three to bring to life.

The 11 teams include routes of varying lengths. You can find the proposals below:

 Route NameProposing Team  Route Length
Boston-Somerset-Providence Hyperloop Massachusetts64 miles
 Cheyenne-Houston Rocky Mountain Hyperloop Consortium1,152 miles
 Chicago-Columbus-Pittsburgh Hyperloop Midwest488 miles
 Colorado Front Range/Mtn. Network Rocky Mountain Hyperloop360 miles
 Colorado Front Range Colorado Hyperloop 242 miles
 Kansas City-St. Louis Hyperloop Missouri 240 miles
 Los Angeles-San DiegoHyperloop West 121 miles
Miami-Orlando Hyperloop Florida 257 miles
 Reno-Las Vegas Hyperloop Nevada 454 miles
 Seattle-Portland PNW Hyperloop 173 miles
 Texas Triangle Hyperloop Texas 640 miles

The longest of the proposed routes, which would run between Cheyenne and Houston (1,152 miles), takes about 16.5 hours to travel by car. With Hyperloop on that route, which is designed to travel at speeds of up to 800 miles per hour, travel time would be cut down to just about an hour and 45 minutes.

These meetings come at a time when the actual Hyperloop test system is within reach of completion. According to TechCrunch, Hyperloop One finalized the tube component of its test track, called DeveLop, this week. It's located in the Nevada desert and is about 500 meters long. So, if the test tube goes according to plan, the company will be able to work out kinks before a commercial launch sometime in the future.

This news is the latest in the journey of Hyperloop becoming a reality. There are also possibilities of the Hyperloop developing in other regions around the world — Europe and the Middle East, to name a couple. It's interesting to see these potential routes here at home, which could connect parts of the country in ways never seen before.

H/T: TechCrunch

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.