Tuesday, August 28, 2012

  Longest bus: Germany sets world record (PICS & VIDEO)

DRESDEN, Germany -- Developed by a consortium of companies led by German research outfit Fraunhofer IVI, the AutoTram Extra Grand features three hinged segments, seating for 256 passengers and a length of over 98 feet, setting the new world record for the Longest bus, according to the World Record Academy: www.worldrecordacademy.com/.

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The Guinness world record for the most people crammed on an unmodified bus is 229 and was achieved by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Krakow University of Technology in Krakow, Poland .

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the largest collection of bus tickets; it belongs to Ladislav Sejnoha (Czech Republic), with 200,000 tickets from 36 countries, each one different in some detail.

   With four of the five axles able to steer, the AutoTram reportedly has the same turning radius as a conventional 40-foot bus.
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  The vehicle's hybrid drivetrain operates similar to the one in a Chevrolet Volt, offering an all-electric range of 5 miles before it needs to switch an internal combustion engine to power it for longer trips.

   As its name implies, the AutoTram is being pitched as a more affordable alternative to urban light rail systems and was designed to be incorporated into the type of Bus Rapid Transit systems (think trolleys without tracks) currently employed in several cities around the world.

  But while it may be the "longest" bus in the world, the AutoTram isn't the "largest capacity" bus.

  That title is currently held by China's Youngman JNP6250G City New Liner Series, which fits 300 seats into its relatively meager 82-foot length.