A new era in transportation is on the horizon as the European Hyperloop Center opens in the northern Netherlands. The center features a 420-meter white steel tube that will serve as a testing ground for the revolutionary Hyperloop technology. Hyperloop, championed by Elon Musk, involves capsules floating on magnetic fields and traveling at speeds of up to 700 kph through low-pressure tubes.

The director of the center, Sascha Lamme, is optimistic about the future of Hyperloop, predicting that by 2030, the first Hyperloop route for transporting passengers could be in operation. However, not everyone shares Lamme's enthusiasm. Robert Noland, a professor at Rutgers University, believes that governments should focus on basic infrastructure investment rather than chasing after new technologies like Hyperloop.

Despite the skepticism, Lamme is confident in the potential of Hyperloop, stating that the European Hyperloop Center can compete with high-speed rail in terms of cost efficiency. The center's tube, made up of 34 separate sections, has a unique feature - a switch that allows capsules to travel to different destinations, creating a network effect.

The first tests at the center will be conducted next month by Dutch hyperloop pioneer Hardt Hyperloop. The project is funded by private investment, as well as contributions from the provincial government, the Dutch national government, and the European Commission. As testing continues in Veendam, developers are hopeful that government commitments and funding will pave the way for the realization of Hyperloop routes in the near future.