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 marketing support for small businesses. The project aligns with my broader mission, reflected on galiameta.io, to integrate Web3 gaming (like Star Atlas), AI-driven solutions, and blockchain opportunities into everyday life, making these technologies accessible to rural and underserved areas.
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. As I pitched to local programs like the Nova Scotia Small Business Program, I refined the vision to focus on job creation, community engagement, and education, tailoring it to audiences unfamiliar with blockchain or AI.
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 Project Docs I’ve shared capture this evolution, detailing how the bus will serve as a mobile office for marketing support, a stage for Web3 activations, and a canvas for storytelling through a documentary project. It’s personal, raw, and deeply tied to my belief that technology should empower, not exclude.
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 Solana. 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, tokenized energy, and 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 plans to integrate tools like Hivemapper and Helium Mobile for real-time mapping and connectivity. 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. For rough timelines, see Phoenix Bus: FAQ and more info
Phase 1 – Sealing the building envelope
- air tools and removal hundreds of rivets to scrap inner bus skin $1000 tools (free labor)
- remove subfloor to prep for insulation and hydronic heating
- scrap steel from inner skin removal $160 per ton (income)
- repair any hidden rust revealed around floor and ceiling
- 18” roof raise at LRB Fabricators Ltd. (quote pending)
- subfloor installation with 3” XPS insulation, plumbing, tubing run for hydronic in-floor heating
- floor plan layout with masking tape and marking system blueprint design locations
- fabrications and penetrations for plumbing, electrical systems, roof racks/deck, bunks etc…
- penetrations and installation of ventilation and double pane RV windows
- misc external storage and systems fabrication, external lighting replacement and wiring
- engineer, fabricate and install secure and weather tight locking front and back doors
- seal, prime and paint the bus exterior, offer exterior promotional wraps
Phase 2 – Systems integration
- electrical wire runs for bus systems, solar, heating, cooling, comms, A/V & gaming systems
- 3” of closed cell spray foam insulation for walls and ceiling
- install solar, battery bank, heating, cooling systems, ceiling and wall panels
- frame in the interior structure, activate and test systems
- certify and re-plate and insure the Phoenix as and RV
Phase 3 – Interior construction and project launch
- this phase basically equates to residential construction
- drivetrain upgrades for long distance touring
- solar and roof deck setup with tent and integrated indoor/outdoor audio/video
Ongoing Priorities
- Sustainability: Maintain off-grid capabilities through solar and tokenized energy systems, reducing operational costs.
- Community Focus: Prioritize rural and underserved areas, offering free workshops and low-cost services to maximize impact.
- Documentation: Continuously update project docs, socials, and Falkor’s Newsletter (on Beehiiv) with progress, tutorials, and stories from the road.
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 and roles in the project docs.
- 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.
- 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.