Japanese Dual Mode Train  E-mail
Written by Hank Green   
Friday, 24 November 2006

trainbus
 
These Japanese buses are definitely hybrids, but it has nothing to do with their power. These things are bus-train hybrids. The vehicles are designed to run on the roads in less dense areas (where there are no train lines, but also not much traffic) and then easily pull onto a train line, pop down it's metal wheels and speed down the rails during rush-hour traffic in high-density areas.

The design allows for economical and speedy mass transit in a country that sorely needs it. The Bus-Train will be hitting the rails in 2007, servicing a tourist route. But the JR Hokkaido hopes to use them mainly to bring mass-transit into rural areas.
 

Comments (2)add
...
written by monotonehell , November 29, 2006
That looks rather dodgey.

I prefer the obahn technology. The tracks aren't dual purpose like using old train tracks, but they look better and are more flexible than trains. We've had one here in Adelaide for 20 years. It's a much more pleasent ride than a noisy rumbling train and can take you door to door. Also the buses can run on whatever enviro-friendly fuel you want.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O-Bahn_Busway
Started now
written by Ryan , April 21, 2007
The train-bus has started running now. It looks good
http://japansugoi.com/wordpress/japanese-train-bus-hybrid- %e3%83%87%e3%83%a5%e3%82%a2%e3%83%ab%e3%83%a2%e3%83%bc% e3%83%89%e3%83%93%e3%83%bc%e3%82%af%e3%83%ab-starts-in-hokkaido/
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Hank Green
About the author:

Hank Green is the founder and chief geek at EcoGeek.org. Aside from being obsessed with saving the planet with technology, he loves to write and make videos. If you want to find out more about him, visit hankgreen.com

 
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