The Chinese-designed Elevated High-Speed Super Bus may be pulling up to bus stops in North America in the not-too-distant-future.
Song Youzhou, designer of the super bus, has formed US Elevated High-Speed Bus (Group) Inc, to plan distribution and manufacturing of the vehicle outside of China, beginning with North America.
The new company is interested in partnering with US specialized vehicle manufacturers to build the vehicle. “An ideal partner for us would be an RV, motor home, aircraft, train or bus manufacturer with production facilities in the US who is looking to diversify,” said Mark Shieh, a spokesman for the new venture.
“We hope to leverage not only their manufacturing capabilities, but also their domestic and export sales channels. In return, we’ll deliver the design and fully developed concept.”
The company is also seeking transportation industry manufacturers’ representatives for Central America, South America and Europe.
Designed to carry up to 1,400 people, the super bus will travel on rails built on both sides of the road and use solar power to travel at speeds of up to 50 mph (80 kph). The bus straddles two lanes of traffic, allowing cars to drive underneath the passenger compartment.
The first projects will begin next year in China, where vehicle traffic problems can cause delays lasting for days. “The word revolutionary is so overused, but this new bus actually is revolutionary,” said Mark Shieh. “Relative to the cost of a subway line or other rail transit, our bus delivers extraordinary value. Aside from the low cost, the time for construction is about one third that for a subway.”
Mr. Song, the creator, says, "The Elevated High-Speed Bus is an ultra low-carbon producer, environmentally friendly and high-efficiency project. It solves the problems found with ordinary fuel-consuming buses that include air pollution, carbon emissions, and low energy efficiency. Our bus is fueled by municipal electricity and solar power which is supplemented by solar energy gleaned from the roof. The Elevated High-Speed Bus combines the merits of Bus Rapid Transit and a subway."
