aka, Crown #9… a 1983 Crown Supercoach school bus being converted to a web3 activation hub
Overview: The Vision Behind the Phoenix Bus
The Phoenix Bus Project is more than just a vehicle—it’s a bold experiment in merging cutting-edge technology with real-world impact. Picture a 40-foot vintage bus transformed into an off-grid, mobile Web3 hub, crisscrossing Canada and the United States to bring blockchain, AI, and web3 gaming education to communities far and wide. Born from a passion for innovation and community engagement, the Phoenix Bus is my personal journey to bridge the digital divide, empower local businesses, and showcase the potential of decentralized technologies—all from the road.
The bus, affectionately named “Phoenix” for its rebirth from a weathered relic into a modern marvel, is being developed as a mobile office, training center, and community outreach platform. Equipped with solar panels, Starlink connectivity, and Web3 tools, it’s designed to operate off-grid while hosting workshops, gaming events, and representing partner projects conventions. The project aligns with my broader mission, reflected on galiameta.io, to integrate Web3 gaming (like Star Atlas) and blockchain opportunities into everyday life, making these technologies accessible to rural and underserved areas. See the progress at Project Docs, detailing the open source journey.
A Personal Journey: How the Phoenix Bus Came to Life
The idea for the Phoenix Bus sparked during my travels and work with blockchain communities, particularly through my involvement with the Star Atlas, with support from the DAO and the Galia Business Association (GBA). After purchasing the bus in California and driving it back to Nova Scotia in 2023, the bus—a 1980s classic— sat idle during health issues and lack of funding, but that setback only fueled my determination. I saw an opportunity to rebuild it as more than just a vehicle: a platform to bring Web3 to life. The journey hasn’t been without challenges. Rural communities, as I’ve learned, often don’t grasp the complexities of decentralized tech, so I’ve worked to simplify the narrative: the Phoenix Bus is about opportunity—jobs, learning, and connection. From securing modest funding for repairs to planning a North American tour, every step has been a lesson in blending ambition with practicality.
The Big Picture: A Mobile Web3 Activation Hub
The Phoenix Bus is being designed to embody the ethos of Web3—decentralization, accessibility, and innovation—while grounded in real-world utility. Here’s what it aims to achieve:
- Education and Onboarding: Host workshops to teach blockchain basics, AI tools, and Web3 gaming, with a focus on projects like Star Atlas and others in the Solana ecosystem. The bus will demystify crypto wallets, NFTs, and decentralized finance for newcomers.
- Community Engagement: Partner with local businesses and chambers of commerce to offer AI-driven marketing support and blockchain-based tools, fostering economic growth in rural areas.
- Gaming and Events: Attend gaming conventions and festivals, showcasing Star Atlas and other Web3 projects through immersive setups, powered by the bus’s solar and AV systems.
- Off-Grid Innovation: Leverage solar power, Starlink, and Solana DePIN systems to demonstrate sustainable, decentralized infrastructure.
- Storytelling: Document the journey online, fueled through crowdfunding, capturing the human side of Web3 adoption and the bus’s role in connecting communities.
The bus will operate as a rolling ambassador for Solana, Star Atlas, and the broader Web3 ecosystem, with projects integrations already growing quickly. It’s a hub where tech meets heart, bringing people together to explore what’s possible.
Development Plans: Building the Phoenix
The Phoenix Bus is in the pre-construction phase, with a phased approach to transform it into a fully operational Web3 hub. Below are the detailed development plans, structured to balance immediate needs with long-term scalability.
Phase 1 – Hitting the road locally (in-progress)
July 1st completion deadline, $5,200 for tires to pass inspection for license plates to drive locally, plus a generator, $1600 to power three gaming laptops and Starlink for local and virtual events. See our support page to contribute through partial vinyl wraps, sponsored events, and through content on X, the Metaverse Nomads stream, GBA roundtable podcast, and weekly educational video tutorials.
Phase 2 – Going international and intergalactic
From July 1st to July 29th we’ll be in Florida (without the bus) for documentary filming and family. $36,000 is needed for drivetrain work preparing the bus for US travel, with a funding planned in June through Solana grants, and a Star Atlas PIP. We’re aiming for the drivetrain work to begin while we’re in Florida, with travel readiness for the bus by September to move to a U.S. shop for custom conversion work. This main building stage will be content focused and fueled by creative input from the community, including lore, culminating with a crowdfunding push for over $100,000 in conjunction with the release of the “Block Gamers” Star Atlas Documentary. Having the Phoenix Bus present at the film premier would be a dream.
Phase 3 – Full conversion and project launch
Full project launch in 2026, creative building fueled by community feedback, systems integration and activation, full Star Atlas paint and wrap for sponsors, along with on-chain system partnerships activated for real-world impact at scale. The Phoenix Bus will launch in a seasonal capacity for crypto and gaming events, with Breakpoint 2026 in the US as a potential target.
Linked Partners: Building a Collaborative Ecosystem
The Phoenix Bus Project thrives on partnerships that amplify its mission. Below is a list of key collaborators, with links to their profiles.
- Star Atlas: A Web3 gaming platform on Solana, providing content and DAO features for gaming events and educational workshops.
- Star Atlas DAO: Provides feedback and funding through community driven proposals and earning through content creation
- Galia Business Association (GBA): A galactic chamber of commerce, connecting the bus with other ecosystem businesses for mutual support and community outreach.
- Solana Foundation: Supports the project through potential grants and technical resources, aligning with their mission to advance decentralization.
- Hivemapper: Provides decentralized mapping tools to track and share the bus’s journey across North America.
- Helium Mobile: Supplies connectivity solutions for off-grid operations, ensuring seamless Web3 access.
- Shaga: PC game streaming for ultra low latency gaming on any device, anywhere
- Starlink: Delivers remote high-speed internet to power the bus’s mobile office and gaming setups.
These partners form a network that not only supports the bus’s technical and financial needs but also amplifies its reach, from rural Nova Scotia to gaming conventions across the continent.
Join the Journey
The Phoenix Bus Project is a living, evolving initiative, and you’re invited to be part of it. Whether you’re a Web3 enthusiast, a small business owner, or someone curious about the future of tech, there’s a place for you. Follow updates on galiameta.io, subscribe to Falkor’s Newsletter (coming soon) for the latest tech insights, or reach out to collaborate. Together, we’re building a future where technology empowers every community, one mile at a time.