Public transportation, whether it be above ground or subterranean, has been instrumental in curbing urban traffic congestion and reducing the amount of pollutants belched into the air. Because of that success, public transportation infrastructure and vehicles are being built and adopted rapidly in some of the world’s fastest growing cities.
In a bid to capture even more of that market, Volvo has debuted what it’s calling the world’s longest bus.
Earlier this week in the teeming megalopolis of Rio de Janeiro, Volvo rolled out its Gran Artic 300, a four-axle bus that can handle up to 300 passengers and maneuver through bustling city streets. All in all, the Artic 300 will be some 30 meters long (98ft), serviced by five doors and have two articulating joints that will allow it to make what will be dramatic wide right turns.
Oh, and of course it will be the largest bus in the world; not only in length, but in carrying capacity, as well.
According to Volvo, the Artic 300 will be able to fill the role of three two-axle buses, further reducing the smog and traffic congestion associated with the breakneck urbanization that’s happening across the globe.
“We are leaders in vehicles for high-capacity transportation systems, Bus Rapid Transit, and now we introduce the world’s largest bus chassis. This vehicle will provide more efficient transportation systems, offering a higher quality for the passengers and improved cost efficiency for the transport operators,” said Fabiano Todeschini of Volvo Bus Latin America.
Currently, Volvo has plans to roll their Artic 300 line out in a limited release that covers Latin America. If the Artic 300 proves successful, regions abroad could see the Artic 300 rolling through dedicated bus routes and whisking passengers to their destinations, all the while helping to curb urban pollution.