What was the reason of transfer these wagons from Wien to Rotterdam?

Цитата (Виктор Бергман, 15.10.2023):
> What was the reason of transfer these wagons from Wien to Rotterdam?

Due to a critical shortage of rolling stock pending the supply of new Alstom Citadis cars, which began arriving in the city in 2003. In 2001, Rotterdam was forced to purchase 12 E1 trams from Vienna, of which 10 were used in revenue service, while 2 cars became donors of spare parts. Vienna cars operated in Rotterdam from 01.2001 to 05.2003 on route 2. In 2005, 9 of them went on to Craiova, Romania. I am sure local users will correct me, if I am wrong )

Ввиду критической нехватки подвижного состава в ожидании поставок новых вагонов Alstom Citadis, которые начали поступать в город с 2003 г. В 2001 г. Роттердам был вунужден закупить 12 венских трамваев E1, из которых 10 использовались на линии, а 2 вагона стали донорами запчастей. Венские вагоны работали в Роттердаме с 01.2001 по 05.2003 на маршруте 2. В 2005 г. 9 из них ушли в Крайову, Румыния. Уверен, что местные пользователи поправят, если что не так )

To complete: the shortage was caused by the inauguration of a new route in 2000 and some accidents involving older trams.

Was there a delay with delivery of Alstom Citadis order cars prior to 2003?

I remember that was one of the assumptions in the transport community, explaining Rotterdam’s rolling stock shortages in the early 2000s.

I also remember an incredible visit to the city in 05.2001. Practically all cars were pushed into service during rush hours, including all available GT8 1600s (to our delight).

The new route 20, inaugurated in 2000, was an immediate success.
The frequency needed to be increased both there (on line 20) and on other lines, but sufficient trams were simply lacking for this purpose.
Initially, museum trams were also used in normal service (!) which were then later replaced and complemented by these trams from Vienna. These were the only trams that were immediately available then and immediately serviceable.