Chinese buses

It is probably going to have some nasty accidents, but it is a novel idea.

Quote: Pacomartin

It is probably going to have some nasty accidents, but it is a novel idea.

Are there no trucks in China? Reminds me of the "Mammoth Car" from "Speed Racer"

Quote: Pacomartin

It is probably going to have some nasty accidents, but it is a novel idea.

I like the idea. According to what I've read, it will ride on rails and take up electricity from overhead lines. It's as wide as two regular traffic lanes.

For this to work, though, you have to remove all other public transportation from the routes it travels. They have done this in Mex City in the Metrobus routes, which use confined lanes for articulated buses. It works reasonably well, but you remove one lane for other traffic entirely (except emergency vehicles).

No doubt there can be problems, which is why the idea needs to be well-though out and tested. But it has a lot of potential.

The main objection is the capital costs, which are bound to be huge (track, buses, electric lines, etc.). Second, when you combine the cost with the size of the buses, you can see frequencies will be rather low. I can see people in a hurry taking a cab to catch up with the bus.

Umm... how is that a bus and not a train? (He asks pedantically =p)

I'm not clear how it helps when it is currently like this:

Looks strangely similar to a Chinese aircraft carrier design that was making the memes maybe 5 years ago. Same catamaran stilts. It was a fake then, I don't see this as being practical, either.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Reminds me of the "Mammoth Car" from "Speed Racer"

I remember that too! Somehow that sticks in my head from some 40 years ago.

Quote: Wizard

I remember that too! Somehow that sticks in my head from some 40 years ago.

Maybe someone can explain why the Mach 5 had left hand drive? Japanese car after all.

Quote: Wizard

I remember that too! Somehow that sticks in my head from some 40 years ago.

Hehe... Maybe the Chinese bus is actually made of gold like the mammoth car in "Speed Racer" (Cruncher Block and his henchmen were using it to smuggle the stolen bullion across the border). Does the bus line go to Macau? hehe...

Quote: AZDuffman

Maybe someone can explain why the Mach 5 had left hand drive? Japanese car after all.

Well, it was the most advanced car of it's time... perhaps that is what an advanced car design produces. It must have seemed really exotic to folks used to right hand seating for drivers.