Washington DC to get first Elon Musk hyperloop train travelling at 760 MILES PER HOUR

The SpaceX billionaire’s tech firm has been given permission to start digging an underground Hyperpool tunnel below Washington, DC.

Under his plans, Hyperloop passengers will travel in futuristic pods which speed through a tunnel on a cushion of air.

Mr Musk, 46, has dubbed the ground-breaking system a “cross between a Concorde, a railgun and an air hockey table”.

He hopes the transit line will eventually connect Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City.

The entrepreneur claims the 225-mile journey between Washington DC and New York will take just 26 minutes by Hyerloop.

Mr Musk’s firm The Boring Company believes the futuristic scheme will dramatically reduce congestion on the roads above.

John Falcicchio, the chief of staff for Washington DC’s Mayor Muriel Bowser, said he welcomed the inventor’s proposals.

He told reporters: “We’re just beginning, in the mayor’s office, our conversation to get an understanding of what the general vision is for Hyperloop.

“We’re open to the concept of moving people around the region more efficiently.”

Hyperloop was first conceived by Elon Musk – who is believed to be worth a whopping £14.8 billion ($20.8bn) – in 2013.

However, he is no longer directly involved with any companies developing the technology.

A number of start-ups have begun to develop the technology, despite concerns about the cost and practicality.

US President Donald Trump met with Mr Musk last year to discuss the Hyperloop idea, as well as his plans to colonise Mars.

A Boring Company spokesman said: “The Boring Company has had a number of promising conversations with local, state and federal government officials.

“With a few exceptions, feedback has been very positive and we have received verbal support from key government decision-makers for tunnelling plans, including a Hyperloop route from New York to Washington DC.

“We look forward to future conversations with the cities and states along this route and we expect to secure the formal approvals necessary to break ground later this year.”