The purpose wasn’t to delay the high speed rail, in favor of the hyperloop.
It was to delay/stop the high speed rail for something better as he didn’t think the existing plan was high speed enough or would be cost effective and on time. Faster high speed trains were already being built and with all the delays this would (and has) faced, it’d be even further back by the time it was finished.
The difference there is pretty important, unless you fall into the conspiracy camp of the intent was to delay it so he could sell more cars and he actually doesn’t want anything made.
But the goal was to stop it so they’d make it better than planned, not make a hyperloop.
Edit: and before people reply, it’s fast enough, it doesn’t need to be the best etc etc. That’s fine if that’s your stance. I’m just saying what was actually going on, and you don’t have to agree with him.
This gets misquoted all the time.
The purpose wasn’t to delay the high speed rail, in favor of the hyperloop.
It was to delay/stop the high speed rail for something better as he didn’t think the existing plan was high speed enough or would be cost effective and on time. Faster high speed trains were already being built and with all the delays this would (and has) faced, it’d be even further back by the time it was finished.
The difference there is pretty important, unless you fall into the conspiracy camp of the intent was to delay it so he could sell more cars and he actually doesn’t want anything made.
But the goal was to stop it so they’d make it better than planned, not make a hyperloop.
Edit: and before people reply, it’s fast enough, it doesn’t need to be the best etc etc. That’s fine if that’s your stance. I’m just saying what was actually going on, and you don’t have to agree with him.