The company sees cargo as a more promising and cost-efficient use of its technology.

Virgin Hyperloop is pivoting from moving passengers to transporting cargo and has laid off close to half of its employees, reports James Vincent in The Verge. "A spokesperson for Virgin Hyperloop told the [Financial Times] that the recent cuts would allow the company 'to respond in a more agile and nimble way and in a more cost-efficient manner' and that the decision to lose so many staff at once had not been 'taken lightly.'"
The US-based Virgin Hyperloop is one of the leading firms developing the eponymous technology — an updated version of a centuries-old idea to reduce the energy demands of trains by placing them in vacuum-sealed tubes where air resistance is minimal. The concept was resurrected in 2013 when Elon Musk published a whitepaper on the subject, incorporating magnetic levitation used by bullet trains and bestowing the current branding.
Despite early successes in testing, Vincent notes that Virgin Hyperloop has struggled to attract enough funding and reach additional milestones. "Moving cargo instead of people will simplify safety and regulatory burdens, according to DP World — an Emirati, state-owned logistics group that has a 76 percent stake in Virgin Hyperloop."
FULL STORY: Virgin Hyperloop switches focus from passengers to cargo as it lays off half its staff

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
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