By Justin Hyde, Jalopnik
Michael Powell and Juergen Horn travel the world, living in various far-flung locales for just 91 days before moving on. In rural Bolivia, they came across a scenic and harrowing bus-train.
[partner id="jalopnik"]Roads handle most of the traffic in even the remote corners of Bolivia, but there's still a need for mass transit to serve those who cannot afford private vehicles. A Mercedes-Benz bus converted to rail duty takes far longer to travel between Sucre and Potosi than private cars or buses, but every inch of the journey offers a scenic view — all for a ticket that cost $3.50.
The ride also looks like it could be just a bit on the daring side, given the 4,000-foot ascent to Potosi and the, um, relaxed approach to maintenance and right of ways. At one point, the road slices through a road with no markings or warnings to traffic; at others, the track seems ready to disappear into the earth.
But Powell and Horn say there's no better way to ascend while surrounded by scenery and gradually adjusting for altitude. Check out the rest of their adventures at their extensive blog.
Photos and video: Mike Powell and Juergen Horn**
