On 4 Apr 2005, Boltar wrote:

Rupert Candy wrote:
Boltar wrote:

Presumably since its only 1 tram it'll be identical to the trams
currently on the network?

If it's being combined with the Liverpool order, I would say probably
not - the order will have to be put out to tender in the OJEC, and
AIUI the most they could specify is compatibility with the current
fleet. That's why Strasbourg couldn't just order more Eurotrams from
Bombardier - and in fact ended up ordering compatible (and visually
similar) Citadis from Alstom.

All rather confusing, really.

But whats the benefit in having one tram that may require different
maintenance and/or operating procedures to every other tram on the
system?

The tram itself might be cheaper. Basically, if (capital saving) /
(lifetime of tram) is more than (additional annual operation cost), it's a
net win. If you can design a tram so that (additional annual operational
cost) is modest - say by using the same or similar control layout and
operating procedures - and manufacture it more cheaply than your rivals,
you're onto a winner. It's called the free market.

Mind you, it's never actually been seen to work in practice, but that's
another story.

tom

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The ``is'' keyword binds with the same precedence as ``.'', even when it's not actually there. -- Larry Wall, Apocalypse 2