Get ready for Gas increase!

[gid]

in JAPAN the buses turn off and on automatically when taken out of gear to save fuel when stopped . People also turn off their vehicles or are encouraged to shut down motors when stopped in traffic , etc..

[voodoo22]

Originally Posted by gid

in JAPAN the buses turn off and on automatically when taken out of gear to save fuel when stopped . People also turn off their vehicles or are encouraged to shut down motors when stopped in traffic , etc..

I was surprised when I saw this as well. All the busses are manual transmission and it's interesting how they has to say over the loud speaker that they're looking and it's safe to all the riders, everytime they change lanes. Like you said, normal cars also often shut off their engines and at least lights at stops. It's amazing to see what humans are capable of if they try.

[talnlnky]

Originally Posted by voodoo22

I was surprised when I saw this as well. All the busses are manual transmission and it's interesting how they has to say over the loud speaker that they're looking and it's safe to all the riders, everytime they change lanes. Like you said, normal cars also often shut off their engines and at least lights at stops. It's amazing to see what humans are capable of if they try.

I don't remember ever the bus drivers saying they were changing lanes... course... I only rode the bus about 3 times... and not sure how much lane changing happened. Trains will get you to almost anywhere a bus will in japan.

I think the North American perception of japan is highly skewed... just because a few vehicles have some crazy technologies, or a specific area has crazy policies/proceedures for the drivers doesn't mean that is the norm.