cazalea
[Seiko Moderator]
17108
Tesloop - a new sort of mass transport
A new transportation service has sprung up in the last year between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and Palm Springs. It relies on Tesla Model X vehicles running multiple loops a day with a reasonable number of locations and reasonable prices. Just like on an aircraft, you book a specific seat on a specific "flight". The ride includes snacks, drinks, USB power, WiFi and a roomy seat with no shoulders touching (only one rear seat is used). Noise-cancelling headphones are also available. It does NOT include door-to-door service to your home like a taxi or Uber. They will wait up to 10 minutes for late passengers.
For those in more enlightened countries, it's important to point out that the mass transit options in Southern California are limited and frankly, Pathetic.
The San Diego LA commute is estimated at 48,000 people a day. There are 7 Teslas currently looping back and forth under control of 40 drivers, running all day with breaks in the middle for Supercharging. According to an interview with our local paper, the vehicles are leased for $3000 a month, electricity is free, seats run from $29-79 depending on route and time, and they can gross about $17,000 a month per vehicle.
You can book the entire vehicle for about $120 on the SD to LA route. Tesloop will deliver passengers in 2 to 2.5 hours, using the normal highway and of course the diamond (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes.
My wife and I are planning to give it a try soon. We are also amused by the fact it was conceived by a 16-year-old who wanted to lease a Tesla and cooked up this concept to pay his lease payments. It turned out he is too young to get a commercial license, so his dad took the idea and started up the company (for him).
What do you think of the idea?
Cazalea
More posts:
Tesloop - a new sort of mass transport
A new transportation service has sprung up in the last year between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles and Palm Springs. It relies on Tesla Model X vehicles running multiple loops a day with a reasonable number of locations and reasonable prices. Just ...
Good idea...what’s my insurance coverage if something happens?
Also, any compensation for delay? Rgds Raymond
Good question, this car is technically in "No Man's Land"
I've done some analyzing of projects similar to this. There's a problem here. Limousine/car-hire companies normally have very "low" insurances on cars, black cars, Town cars, because they only seat 2-4 people usually. A 10+ passenger van will normally car...
Interesting concept. The vehicle can gross 17k but what are they actually achieving.
Things always look great on paper. But good concept.
I'd be happy if I could get a 65% utilization ratio.
At 65% utilization, you're grossing hopefully around $11K a month. That definitely covers the driver, back office, marketing, car, cleaning, fueling/charging, maintenance, etc.
Long Distance Bus in SoCal is not for the timid
No one I know would ride the Greyhound bus unless it was home from prison ...
They have a 55 lb (25 kg) limit per person
One medium suitcase or carry-on bag, and 2 small hand bags. Or if you have a couple big bags you can buy the empty back seat for them.
I analyze business cases like this all the time... It's still too much like public transportation...
I analyze business cases like this all the time. Unless you live/work really close to their locations, then it's not going to work. Furthermore, the costs are exorbitant. It makes sense as an airport shuttle. But as a daily, expense, the pricing of $60-$1...
Excellent discussion
The Tesloop has zero fuel cost as they charge at the Supercharger network stations. Their LA - Palm Springs car is going 15,000 miles a month and they retired the eldest at 330,000 miles, claiming no breakdowns. My friend’s daughter who’s a tech mgr at Am...
Main problem is ...
.. where do we put he Diavel ? It will be a very tight fit i think ;-) ...
You need URB-E instead
If it fits in the Fiat it should fit into the Tesla: If it fits in the Lotus, it should fit in the Tesla: Then you can get to wherever you park that big scary bike. Cazalea ...
And the charging still being free of cost ...
... what would happen when that (subsidized) comes to an end ? Looks more like a pretty expensive (but very comfy) taxi to me .
