Saudi Arabia may announce Hyperloop project by year-end: Branson

US-based Virgin Hyperloop One is in talks with the Saudi government to launch a nationwide hyperloop transport network, and an announcement is likely by year-end, company chairman Sir Richard Branson told Arab News.

“We are talking about linking Saudi cities across the country. It is a vision that allows people to be able to travel quickly, securely and comfortably with completely clean technology,” Branson told the daily.

The hyperloop system is likely to be launched on the Red Sea coast and could connect the mega Red Sea project with the rest of the region. It could also potentially link the $500 billion NEOM development in the northwest of the Kingdom and extend to Riyadh and the rest of the country, the report added.

“It will cost half the price of conventional high-speed rail networks and can carry cargo as well as passengers. The crown prince visited the Virgin Hyperloop site in America and I think he liked what he saw. I think the project in Saudi Arabia will happen pretty quickly,” Branson said.

Earlier this month, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled "Vision 2030 Hyperloop Pod" during his first official trip the US, inching a step closer to bringing the hyperloop technology to the Kingdom.

The hyperloop network could cut travel time from Riyadh to Jeddah to 76 minutes from the current over 10 hours.