The Sydney Variobahn trams used in Sydney are similar to those used in several others systems around the world. Initially I was told they came 'from Chemnitz' in Germany and when visiting that city some years ago, found them there. Wikipedia lists several systems operating them and we have so far not heard that they have had problems.

So what is different to Sydney? Our track, wheel maintenance, or the unusual configuration of short stub-axles which gives true low-floor access. I note that London trams bought six recently, while larger orders were from Mannheim, Germany 42, Helsinki 40 and Graz in Austria, 45. So what is different (or done or not done) here?

Ian Brady