Sydney to Melbourne in 60 minutes: You better believe itNovember 07, 2016

My flatmates forgot the looming deadlines to their assignments, as they were talking about the vision of Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk. A high-speed transport system that would connect Sydney and Melbourne. It could take 60 minutes to build Australia's mega-city, and Mr. Musk is also thinking of the Bush Capital. Seventeen minutes from Sydney to Canberra? I couldn't blame them for extending their break.

There's a rivalry between Sydneysiders and Melburnians, and Hyperloop One could make it a thing of the past. I believe it will be a good thing, as Oz should come first. Furthermore, this project can set a precedent. I'm thinking about New York to Toronto while Chad is looking at the Middle East. No one (in the room) have ever thought of it, and it seems like a brilliant suggestion. Tubular capsules travelling from Dubai to Doha (and vice versa) might turn out to be cheaper than a last-minute plane flight.

"If you connect two cities with Hyperloop, you get, effectively, a sort of global city punching above its weight in a global economy, which is a really competitive advantage," Mr. Musk said.

It's still on paper, yet there's a staunch critic not far away. Engineer Alan Levy would imagine a roller-coaster, such that it could turn off some passengers. He seems to have a point, as a barf ride may not be good enough. Then again, not one of us (in the room) would mind. (A cheap thrill would brighten up an uneventful day.) Levy's concern might be swept aside, as the economic advantages will outweigh it.

A link between the two largest cities in Oz will have a profound effect on the Australian economy. More people will flock to the region (between Sydney and Melbourne), as there will likely be more jobs (as a result of this transportation). Canberra won't be left behind. (It will take forty minutes to travel from Melbourne to ACT and vice versa.) It will also affect the (economic) standing of Adelaide and Perth. Musk might consider Sydney and Adelaide, but Perth is out of the question.

As far as tourism is concerned, the Hyperloop will hardly change the preference of visitors. After all, the most visited destinations are found in the eastern regions. Sydney remains the biggest metropolis in Oz, but the project can put Canberra on par with Sydney and Melbourne. ACT will be a perfect alternative, as the major cities (in Oz) are seaside communities. Many tourists will find a cheaper option in Hyperloop while it makes their travelling simpler and more convenient.

I still have my bucket list, but the Hyperloop opens up a wide range of possibilities. I don't have to take a plane to go further south. And then I think of the glimpse of the countryside (while riding in a car). It can still be an option, which makes the tubular capsules the right one for those who don't have much time. In our case, we still have a long way to go before patience becomes a virtue.

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