I'm still confused why vacuum tube trains still make news. 300kph TGV trains that operate without the massive overhead of manitaining a vacuum across a massive pipe would be more than capable of eliminating any need to fly/drive between Edmondton/Red Deer/Calgary for most simple trips.<p>The idea that making the train faster is worth 10x-ing the cost of operation, and thus lowering the effective thruput since less trips can be made, isn't exactly smart. I'd much rather have the trip take 2hrs and I can show up at the station whenever because a train leaves every 45min, vs a 1hr trip where I have to show up at the precise time to catch my train since they only run 3 trains a day.<p>You're not just competing with the top speed of a plane, you're also competing with how annoying the entire airline experience is. (Trips are booked in advance, show up at airport 1hr before flight to get thru security, airport is 45min out of downtown on BOTH ends of your trip)