Re: New Melbourne trams have fewer seats than the old ones but they're longer!

[Alex Campbell <lxcmpl@yahoo.com>]

Exile on Market Street wrote:

> In article <399EF8B2.6B26@iprolink.co.nz>, David McLoughlin
> <davemclNOSPAM@iprolink.co.nz> wrote:
>
> > Test For Echo wrote:
> >
> >  Why can't the Melbourne transit authorities specify an
> > > interior seating design that meets their needs?
> >
> >
> > Because the trams have been franchised to a European company which is
> > buying the new trams from another European company. The idiots probably
> > don't even know that all previous Melbourne trams have been built in
> > Melbourne and designed for Melbourne conditions. I suspect the idiots
> > responsible have never even been in a tram.
>
> I understand everything you're saying except the built-in-Melbourne part.
>
> Understanding the local conditions is essential if you're going to have
> equipment that works properly and keeps the passengers happy, but it
> doesn't logically follow that the equipment has to be built where it will
> be used.
>

If I was wanting to be picky I would note that David is quick to promote the
sale of foreign made transit vehicles into the US but seems less amused at the
idea of importing transit vehicles into Australia. :))

Seriously however were Wolfgang's plans for the actual trams ordered for
Melbourne or just the generic Combino plans? Things like seating plans tend to
get tailored to each individual customers needs. I thought the owners of
Swanston trams ran a number of successful French light rail systems and did
have some expertise in the area or was that Yarra Trams?

Alex Campbell