Elon Musk’s Hyperloop latest of many wacky L.A. transit ideas

Inventor Elon Musk’s concept for the Hyperloop — a mass-transit system that would move people from Los Angeles to San Francisco in 30 minutes — has captured the imagination of residents in a city known for horrible traffic.

As The Times’ Catherine Green, W.J. Hennigan and Ralph Vartabedian explained Tuesday morning: “Musk unveiled the design of his Hyperloop, a $6-billion high-speed transit system powered by solar energy. The line would travel along interstates 5 and 580 at speeds of up to 760 miles per hour and have the feel of an airliner, Musk said. Capsules would hold 28 people each.�

The idea was generated much interest in California and beyond, even though there are skeptics.

But this is not the first time L.A. has gotten excited about wild mass-transit ideas.

In the 1960s, the city toyed with the idea of building monorails in the middle of major boulevards and freeways. Then there were talks about a personal “pod� people-mover system.

Traffic woes also had planners looking at the Los Angeles River.

As Steve Harvey wrote: “Hence the excitement when local officials were approached in 1985 by the makers of a hovercraft. The company said the vessel could travel the length of the L.A. River on a “bed� of air, which is about the only way the concrete-bed waterway could be navigated. But, at a test run near the mouth of the river in Long Beach, the hovercraft’ s engine wouldn’t start. It was towed away, never to be seen again.

Undaunted, another new company, Los Angeles River Cruises, sent out invitations in 1990 for a “VIP voyage� on the waterway.

According to Harvey, other wacky transportation ideas include:

— 1986: The West Los Angeles Veloway, a 17-foot-high concrete track from Santa Monica Boulevard, near Westwood Boulevard, to Westwood.

— 1863: Use of camels to get people around L.A.’s then-small city center.

What do you think of Hyperloop? Idea of the future or just another “camel corps�? Share your views below.

ALSO:

Councilman Jose Huizar hit by employee discrimination complaint

‘Modern-day slave owner’ sentenced for human trafficking in O.C.

Hannah Anderson didn’t know mom, brother were killed, sheriff says