Register for free and continue reading

Join our growing army of changemakers and get unlimited access to our premium content

Login Register

In China, megacities deploy world’s largest bus

Capable of transporting up to 300 passengers, the Youngman JNP6250G is believed to be the world’s largest bus.

In China — where larger cities have populations of multi-millions — authorities are concerned that increasing car ownership will cause extreme congestion and paralyze road networks. Now the solution may come in the form of the Youngman JNP6250G, a bus believed to be the largest in the world, capable of transporting up to 300 passengers. Created by the Youngman Vehicle Group, the JNP6250G is 25 meters in length — 13 meters longer than a standard bus — with five doors and 40 seats, capable of traveling at a top speed of 82 kph. To make disabled access easier, its designers have incorporated a pavement-level step and wide aisles, while a central area is specifically allocated for wheelchairs. Similar to London’s now defunct “bendy bus”, the JNP6250G is able to turn corners with a radius equal to that of a normal bus thanks to two accordion-ribbed joints. As reported by China Tech Gadget, a fleet of the vehicles will create the Bus Rapid Transit service — BRT — in Beijing and Hangzhou, and this fleet will have a dedicated lane on highways to ensure optimum speed. While the JNP6250G is practical solution to a serious environmental and transportation problem, the accordion-like hinges have proved to be hazardous to cyclists and pedestrians in London. With well-considered route planning, however, there may still be a lucrative future in such buses. Spotted by: Raymond Neo