Rolling Stock
In 2007, the Planning Office ordered twelve Variotrams from Stadler Rail, with an additional four on option. The first tram arrived in Bergen 7 December 2009, and was used for testing in the months leading up to the opening. Before the light rail line opened, three more trams were in place. The trams are 32.180 m (105.58 ft) long and 2.65 meters (8 ft 8 in) wide; dead weight is 35.7 tonnes (35.1 long tons; 39.4 short tons). The trams have five articulated sections, and are expandable with another two modules to a length of 42 meters (138 ft), should higher capacity be necessary in the future. All stations are dimensioned for extended trams.
There is a slightly elevated driver's cabin at each end. Eight motors provide a total of 360 kW (480 hp) for three bogies. This allows a maximum speed of 70 km/h (43 mph), though this is limited to 50 km/h (31 mph) in city streets, and 25 km/h (16 mph) at the depots. Acceleration is 1.25 m/s2 (4.13 ft/s2), and they are capable of a 7.0% slope. Current is collected via a pantograph, at 750 volts direct current. Each tram is sufficiently powerful to haul another unit in case of emergencies.
Capacity is for 212 passengers, of which 84 can sit four abreast. The entire tram is step-free, including between the cars and the platforms. Seats are designed for travel times up to 60 minutes. There are four slide and plug doors on each side; three are double, with a total width of 1,300-millimeter (4 ft 3 in), while the last is a single 800-millimeter (2 ft 7 in) door. Stop-buttons are only available at the doors; this has been chosen to quicken the unloading time. Between the seats there is a corridor with a minimum width of 720 mm (2 ft 4 in) which allows wheelchair and buggy access along the full length of the car. All stations are announced visually and orally. The trams have wireless Internet access available for all travelers.
All stations are announced with a short distinctive melody and the station's name. The melodies were composed by Snorre Valen, while the voice for the station names was recorded by Heidi Lambach.
Read more about this topic: Bergen Light Rail
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