>>1935473They were pitched as a great idea by manufacturers seeking to put out a new product to make money on, touting the benefits of ease of access for people. But that's complete bullshit because people aren't stepping onto the train from a lower height, they are standing on a platform that is built to be level with the train or tram. You can run regular "high" floor trams and simply construct platforms that level with those and the boarding would be the exact same.
The only sort of valid argument for them I've come across is that they look aesthetically "nicer" when they're operating because they don't appear even more gigantic than they are. Pic related. I know it's not a tram or light rail train but it's a typical Japanese passenger train. They cross all sorts of level crossings in less dense parts of Japan and even in urban areas. You can see how big it is compared to the people. By recessing the wheels in low floor trams and trains, it at least makes them a bit smaller which might people might prefer if they're running around the city all the time.
I hate them though. I think trams and trains should pride themselves in being big and proving their superiority to cages and low floor things just feel like lame toys.
