Ground transportation to and from a few of the most populous cities in Texas could soon be much faster and easier, thanks to two new proposed train systems. One, called the Hyperloop, is a futuristic, subsonic train system that would hurtle passengers inside a pressurized tube across a track levitated by magnets. Texas is one of several places “short-listed” for Virgin Hyperloop One, the most feasible version of the scheme, which was originally envisioned by Tesla’s Elon Musk. The other new transportation alternative, the Texas Bullet Train, is a privately funded, high-speed rail line. Backers say its Dallas-Houston route is taken by nearly 50,000 commuters more than once a week. While it’s not clear yet whether either train will materialize in Texas—the bullet-train plan is much further along—both have made great strides in recent years.
Virgin Hyperloop One
Distance: 640 miles
Cities Connected: Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio and Austin
Speed: Up to 700 mph. Dallas to Houston in 46 minutes
Notable Sponsors: Richard Branson
Funding: Virgin Group, DP World Group, Sherpa Capital
Cost: Undisclosed
Target Date for Operation: 2021
Texas Bullet Train
Distance: 240 miles
Cities Connected: Dallas and Houston
Speed: More than 200 mph. Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes
Notable Sponsors: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlins
Funding: Texas Central Partners
Cost: $15 billion
Target Date for Operation: 2023
