This week in Shanghaiist
Computers that spontaneously combust are old news, but when a whole bus inexplicably catches fire it catches our attention. Nanfang Daily reported that a shuttle bus on its way to Foshan from Panyu burst into flames on the highway, forcing the driver and thirty seven passengers to evacuate the vehicle. But mere fire wasn't enough to stop the inferno bus: once the passengers and driver evacuated, the bus continued on its way towards Foshan for a full kilometer before finally burning out.
While the cause of the fire is still unknown, a seasoned bus driver surmised that the fire disabled the brakes, causing the bus to keep rolling on. Considering the bus fires earlier this year in Chengdu and Shenzhen, it seems like flammable transportation has become a new trend. The whole experience of a burning vehicle sounds like an equal mix of danger and intrigue: maybe it would make a good ride at Happy Valley?
Older bus fires on Shanghaiist:
Another reason not to ride the bus in Shanghai
At least three dead after Shanghai bus explosion
Why the Shanghai bus exploded (according to one Hong Kong tabloid with a fabulous graphic team)
Photo: Nanfang Daily
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I was riding Public Bus 936* yesterday and witnessed the male Driver -
1) Pick up his cell phone while driving
2) Crouch his left leg onto the dashboard for comfort
3) SMOKE a cigarette!
Granted there were very few riders actually on board the bus at the time, this kind of behavior helps explain why there are so many pedestrian deaths that occur in China.
Too bad I didn't have my camcorder on me as this could have been enjoyed by friends across the Pacific. Btw, the idiot almost missed my stop as he chit chatting with the coin collector guy who collects fares.
*Taking the bus does not mean that I am either poor or a peasant.