Would You Welcome The Transit X Podcar System To Marlborough?

MARLBOROUGH, MA—It sounds futuristic indeed, maybe even Jetsons-level future.

Businessman Mike Stanley has chosen Marlborough as one of the communities he sees fit for his Transit X transportation system, which is a space-aged, carbon-fiber podcar system designed to be environmentally friendly and stress free, reports Wicked Local Marlborough.

Some are skeptical, including Marlborough officials, but others think it could be a wave of the future that puts Marlborough on the map.

According to Transit X's description, the "Pods, each carrying a single passenger or up to a family of five, quietly cruise above traffic under a narrow track. Destinations are entered via smart phone or kiosk prior to boarding. Passengers board pods at stops that are as convenient as taxi or bus stops. A pod takes off and cruises nonstop until landing at the destination."

Stanley tells Patch that Dave Doucette, a city councilor, was interested in a proposal when he met Stanley at Sustainable Communities & Campuses Conference on March 17.

"In Marlborough, we had two very positive public meetings and meetings with the Transportation Task Force and the Economic Development Commission," said Stanley. "[The Podcar] is less risky than continuing with the status quo. More realistic than autonomous cars. Probably at least 10 times more realistic than Hyperloop. Members of my team have design, built, and operated fully automated transit systems -- the one in Morgantown, WV, has been operating for nearly 40 years without an accident."

There should be a demonstration for the Transit X podcar ready by the end of the year, with pilots starting next year, he said.

"We are moving forward for air rights with about a dozen cities around the world," said Stanley. "My goal is to de-carbonize 50 percent of the world's transportation within 15 years."

Photo Credit: Transit X