Is tube travel a thing of the future?

At least the guys from et3.com seem to thing so.

Evacuated Tube Transport (ETT) is a new transportation technology that needs 1/50th of the energy of trains, cars or planes, is ultra clean, safe, and fast. The focus of ETT is to minimize total transportation costs, while maximizing benefits. Any individual or company may profit by participating in ETT implementation.

Travel in ETT takes place without air resistance since air is permanently removed from the sealed tube guideway (unlike common pneumatic tube systems that rely on air in the tube for propulsion). Pressurized 6 seat (first-class comfort) capsules travel on nearly frictionless Maglev in the evacuated tubes. Airlocks allow access while excluding air. Linear electric motors quickly accelerate the capsules, and then they silently coast using no more power. ETT speed will be about 350mph local, and developed to 4,000mph for international travel (DC to Beijing in 2 hours). Regenerative braking recovers most of the acceleration energy. ETT will be networked like expressways, and operate upon demand. Travel is non-stop to any selected destination in the automated ETT network without congestion or collision risk. Stations will be disbursed where they are needed (like freeway exits).

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