China Unveils Elevated Bus That Rides Right Over Traffic

If you never thought that breaking news about a new type of commuter bus could amaze you, prepare to be surprised.

According to reports from New China TV, the prototype of an elevated bus that straddles traffic was taken for a test drive earlier this week. See for yourself:

Before now, China’s Transit Elevated Bus, or TEB, was nothing more than an interesting idea. After this first test run in China’s Hebei Province, though, the practical applications of its design are clear.

Essentially, the goal is to create an option for commuters that reduces congestion. Because other cars can drive beneath the TEB, additional travelers can use a roadway.

The compartment inside the TEB could theoretically hold up to the 300 people at a time, greatly reducing the amount of citizens who need to commute via car. Of course, at this point in time, it’s difficult to say when the TEB will show up in a city near you (should the U.S. adopt a similar design). The road test was merely the first in many steps toward proving the usefulness of this technology. A long distance test is planned for next year.

However, the governments of Brazil, France, India, and Indonesia have all expressed their interest in adding the TEB to their cities in the future.

If it will make the morning commute easier, it can’t arrive soon enough.