mass transit

Tiny Slow Electric Bus

Posted by Miss Cellania in Auto & Transportation, Environment on November 4, 2011 at 9:41 am

The city of Kiryu, Japan employs the the E-KomiBus, a tiny electric vehicle that carries solar panels to charge the batteries during sunny weather.

The E-KomiBus (which, for reasons unknown, bears the nickname “MAYU”) is a totally electric and tiny little bus. It’s only 173” long (shorter than a 2012 Honda Civic), and runs on lithium ion batteries, which have a range of about 25 miles after charging 8 hours. With a top speed of 12mph, it’s ideally suited for driving through the narrow back streets not covered by conventional bus routes.

The university hopes that senior citizens and tourists (the two groups least likely to own driver’s licenses in Gunma) will use the E-KomiBus, which seats 10.

Link

(Image source: Yomiuri Online)

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Metrocard Recycling Projects

Posted by Miss Cellania in Art on June 29, 2009 at 11:53 am

Taking public transportation is good for the environment, but used-up Metrocards aren’t -unless you find something useful to do with them. The Infrastructurist found nine wacky things people have made out of the cards, including this lovely suit. Link -via Everlasting Blort

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