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The B-class are a two-section, three-bogie articulated class of trams, (officially classed as light rail vehicles on the (Yarra Trams website )), that operate on the Melbourne tram network. Following the introduction of two B1-class prototype trams in 1984 and 1985, a total of 130 B2-class trams were ordered by the Victorian Government and built by Comeng (later ABB) in Dandenong. They were developed for the conversion of the St Kilda and Port Melbourne railway lines to light rail, and introduced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and later the Public Transport Corporation between 1984 and 1994. ==History== In preparation of the conversion of the St Kilda and Port Melbourne railway lines to light rail, two prototype B1-class trams were built in 1984 and 1985.〔(B1 Class ) B1 Class Vicsig〕 They were followed by 130 B2-class trams built between 1987 and 1994. All were built in Dandenong, by Comeng and later ABB.〔〔(B2 Class ) Vicsig〕 They were the first articulated trams on the Melbourne tram network, and the B2-class were the first air-conditioned trams. On the request of the Victorian transport minister, who wished the last of the B-class order to be low-floor trams, an articulated low-floor design was developed by Comeng from 1989. The tram was to ostensibly utilise the components from the B-class and be partially low-floor, with internal stairs over the bogies. The design progressed quite far, with concept art, design schematics, and a mock up produced, and work on the first body shell commenced. The project was cancelled in 1990, with the new transport minister opting to finish the full B-class order instead of the low-floor variant; this was on the back of disputes between Comeng and the Public Transport Corporation, a cabinet reshuffle, and ABB's acquisition of Comeng. The prospect of low-floor access was raised again in the late 1990s when the Public Transport Corporation considered adding a low-floor section to the B-class trams, between the two sections. However, at a cost of $700,000 per tram it was not considered cost effective, and not carried out.〔(【引用サイトリンク】url=http://www.humanrights.gov.au/melbourne-trams-exemption-reasons )〕 Yarra Trams announced in late 2013 that $4.4 million in funding had been secured from Public Transport Victoria to upgrade the B-class fleet. Seats are being removed and replaced with 'lean seats' as fitted on C and C2 class trams, that will increase capacity by seven to nine passengers while providing space for prams and shopping carts, while extra hand rails will also be installed floor to ceiling, and seats will be re-covered. These changes are aimed at increasing capacity while providing better use of space and flow through the vehicles. Step-well lighting will also be improved, to provide better visibility. The program is expected to add capacity of approximately 1,100 passengers to the B-class fleet and be completed by early 2014. However as of September 2014, some B2 class trams still have not had new lighting installed on the step-wells. The end of the B2-class tram production line with tram B2.2128 saw the last Melbourne-built Melbourne-run tram for 12 years, with the E-class being its successor. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「B-class Melbourne tram」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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