Apparently a large number of cities worldwide, including Brussels, who recently just concluded its observance, are joining in Car Free Week in at least one form or another.

Not very many places are actually riding the week to its inevitable conclusion, but there are plenty of places that are recommending people keep their cars parked for the day and instead walk or bicycle or just plain old stay home.  Some cities are using the days to promote their mass transit programs, handing out free passes or tokens to anyone who brings in recyclable materials, for example.

I can’t exactly say this is a bad idea–a little less time on the roads adds up to a little cleaner air and a little longer before we’re staring down the barrel of peak oil–but it’s not exactly uncharitable to call it a case of too little, too late. Still, though, every little bit helps, and every little bit pushes back a global meltdown of energy supplies just a bit farther.

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In a move to perhaps help address the growing number of public commuters, Bangalore, BMTC has reportedly made a purchase order for 260 Volvo Buses in India. Bangalore, BMTC, already operates more than 300 Volvo buses in Bangalore and these buses have radically changed the view of what it is like to travel with city buses in India. For example, the buses are air-conditioned and feature low floors for fast and easy boarding and exiting.

“Surveys show that 60% of the passengers in these buses previously traveled in their own car or by motorcycle,” related Akash Passey, Managing Director of Volvo Buses in India. “For many Indian cities, the goal is to have more people use mass transit and, consequently, this requires new, modern buses.”

Volvo Buses has also received orders for 120 Volvo 9400 inter-city coaches to the State of Karnataka, in which Bangalore in the capital and to the State of Maharasthra, in which Mumbai is the capital. The orders are from customers already operating Volvo coaches and who have favorable experiences of them.

(Source) Press

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