[M II A II R II K]

The world's longest bus seats 256 people


August 26th, 2012

By Randy Nelson

Read More: http://www.tecca.com/news/2012/08/27/worlds-longest-bus/


The city of Dresden, Germany will soon be getting a monstrous addition to its public transportation system that can only be described as a train on wheels. Designed by Fraunhofer IVI and the Technical University Dresden, the three-section Autotram Extra Grand bus is 98 feet long and can carry 256 passengers, but doesn't require any special training for its driver.

Said to be as easily maneuverable as a commonly sized bus, the Autotram Extra Grand makes use of a computer system to aid its driver with turning. The system's primary purpose is to ensure that the rear section of the bus precisely follows the front and middle sections at all times. In addition to the sophisticated guidance system, the bus incorporates green technology in the form of a hybrid gas and electric engine that can travel five miles operating purely on battery power.

.....

 

[urbandreamer]

If I were mayor of Toronto, this would be the Yonge relief line for the next decade--amongst other routes.

 

[drum118]

If I were mayor of Toronto, this would be the Yonge relief line for the next decade--amongst other routes.

I mandate that you be tied to the rear seat of this bus for all trips during peak time to enjoy those rough rides. Also tie to the post for standing in the rear.

Since MTO will not be issuing wavers for this bus on Ontario roads for the next few decades, we don't have to worry about this bus showing up here anytime soon.

Since very few countries in Europe are willing to give wavers for the current triple articulated bus, it will be even harder to do it for this model.

If you were the Mayor, then its time to run for that position, starting in 2014.

 

[urbandreamer]

Well the main problem this bus may have is climbing hills in the winter. I would--as mayor--hire you to sort that out--are you strong?

 

[dt_toronto_geek]

Two problems I can think of is it that loading and unloading times would be prohibitive on busy streets (where relief is needed) and they would only further delay much needed rapid transit lines that are the true fix for transit in this city.

 

[urbandreamer]

Oh and we could also run these along streetcar ROWs, electric trolley bus style like the awesome B-line in Vancouver. I loved that line!

I'm thinking Dufferin, Jane, Keele, Steeles, St Clair, and more!

My job as mayor would be to save taxpayers money and provide better transit service. So that means an extended Eglinton subway line looping via the Zoo to Sheppard and back via the airport and a line from Thorncliffe Park to Clarkson via CN rail row passing through downtown/south etobicoke..


Overall though, Toronto's density settlement pattern--very sprawly in reality--is suitable for these buses. #realitycheck

 

[EnviroTO]

I mandate that you be tied to the rear seat of this bus for all trips during peak time to enjoy those rough rides. Also tie to the post for standing in the rear.

I don't think that would be much of an issue for the bus pictured above which shouldn't be any worse than the artics running in Mississauga. The double articulated buses with the issue you describe have only a single set of wheels on the middle module as shown below.

 

[drum118]

I don't think that would be much of an issue for the bus pictured above which shouldn't be any worse than the artics running in Mississauga. The double articulated buses with the issue you describe have only a single set of wheels on the middle module as shown below.

Big different is the roads are wider than here, buses are high floor, they are moving to a metro and yes they are worse than MT artics.

I had the pleasure of riding the triple for the whole route with over 50% of the route being like Hurontario between Lakeshore and the QEW.

If the doubles have problems climbing hills, triples will be worse and that is odd, considering Zurich hills that are steeper than here where the triples run on.

The picture never see snows while Mississauga does, as well ice.

I think my video of my ride in the triple shows how rough the ride is anywhere on this buses, but most of all, the rear.

Now what is the operating ratio cost wise for these buses compare to LRT??

I also had the pleasure of riding battery power LRT in NICE and Geneva.

A 2nd wheel for the middle does nothing for the rear ride.

 

[doady]

I think Mississauga doesn't operate their artics at all when it snows. And remember also that infamous incident with OC Transpo. But MT ultimately decided to keep using artics and now TTC will start using them again soon lol, what a joke. Well, at least there's still global warming, maybe that will solve the problem. We can only hope.

 

[W. K. Lis]

A sampling of an articulated bus and a small hill

[video=youtube;8kMkYhc4F2g]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMkYhc4F2g[/video]

 

[Jaye101]

I would pay to watch one of these drive up Dufferin from Bloor to Eglinton, assuming it would make it past Davenport.

 

[W. K. Lis]

I would pay to watch one of these drive up Dufferin from Bloor to Eglinton, assuming it would make it past Davenport.

Dufferin Street did not have a bus service south of Eglinton Avenue West until after 1961. From 1961 to 1962, there was a separate South Dufferin bus from St. Clair Avenue West to Queen Street West. From 1962 on, the Dufferin bus was extended south of Eglinton to the Exhibition. By then, salting the roads became the norm, though the timing of the salt still remains a problem.

 

[Jaye101]

That's an interesting fact, especially considering that Dufferin is a Major Arterial Route. It's funny to see that the original Dufferin route was the northern section, and the extension was to the south. I'm to assume that the 63 Ossington as well as the 47 Lansdowne were carrying the load before then? And are you implying that the steep inclines/declines were the reason why service wasn't extended to this stretch of Dufferin prior to 1961?

 

[Hipster Duck]

I would pay to watch one of these drive up Dufferin from Bloor to Eglinton, assuming it would make it past Davenport.

I know. Thank goodness artics are confined to really flat cities like San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver and snow-free cities like Ottawa, Quebec City and Edmonton.

 

[Jonny5]

I'm to assume that the 63 Ossington as well as the 47 Lansdowne were carrying the load before then?

I believe there was streetcar service on Dovercourt too, until at least the 40's.