A bus or a train? What it is? Well, it is a DMV. Sounds interesting, right! Mostly looks like a bus, but it features both a bus and a train. Japan has introduced the first railway in the world with jaw-dropping features of both bus and a train on Saturday, in the town of Kaiyo, Japan. Popularly known as DMV, or Dual Mode Vehicle, the vehicle can run on a road as well as on railway tracks.
The DMV looks similar to a kinder garden bus, however, has astonishing features. This minibus has regular rubber tires that run normally on road. Besides, it also acquires steel wheels in front of its tires that help the vehicle to run efficiently on tracks.
On railways, the front tires of the vehicle are lifted off, while the steel wheels stay down to impel the DMV on the railway track properly. This discovery has enhanced the transport system of the nation, impacting the tourism sector as well.
Tourists are more likely to be a part of traveling on DMVs and exploring the nation.
What are the Features of Dual Mode Vehicle in Japan?
• The CEO of Asa Coast Railway launched the first train in the world (DMV) on Saturday which is an intuitive combination of a bus and train.
• A DMV can carry up to 21 passengers at a time.
• It takes a maximum time of 15-20 seconds to convert a DMV according to their modes. (Roadways, or railways)
• These Japan cars run at a speed of 60km/h on rail tracks whereas, on the other side it goes around 100km/h on public roads.
• With its attractive look, it has made a great achievement in transport, and tourism.
• The enticing dual-mode vehicle is powered by diesel, which is available in different colors which include red (Asakaigan Ishin), a green one (Sudachi no Kaze), and a blue one (Mirai he no Naminori).
• The DMVs reportedly cost upto￥140 million JPY (about USD 1.2 million) to construct.
• It runs between Tokushima and Kochi, connecting several small towns, especially rural areas, and offering passengers attractive seaside scenery. Moreover, it has helped many locals in covering large distances under a short span.
• These DMVs can pick up people as a bus, and carry them on railways to their respective destinations.
Furthermore, The Japan Times reported, “The first buses have been pressed into service in the town of Kaiyo, with the route involving a mix of road and rail.” The agenda behind this breakthrough is to help small towns, locals, and passengers by turning public transport effortless.
Shigeki Miura, the CEO of Asa Coast Railway quoted, “The vehicles could help small towns like Kaiyo with an aging and shrinking population, where local transport companies struggle to make a profit.”
Adding to this, she also told, “It took as long as about 10 years to launch (the DMV service). I’m full of emotion.” At a ceremony to mark the launch of the service, Tokushima Governor Kamon Iizumi said he wants to “send dreams and hopes to the world” from the prefecture through the DMV.
The agenda behind this breakthrough is to help small towns, locals, and passengers by turning public transport effortless. Moreover, we wish the project would encourage the locals as well as tourism to connect with the services openly.