The is an

automated guideway transit An automated guideway transit (AGT) or automated fixed-guideway transit or automatic guideway transit system is a type of fixed guideway transit infrastructure with a riding or suspension track that supports and physically guides one or more dri ...

(AGT) vehicle used for passenger service on the

Port Island Line The , commonly known as is an urban automated guideway transit (AGT) system in Kobe, Japan, operated by Kobe New Transit. The initial system linked Sannomiya Station, Kobe's main transit hub, to the man-made Port Island, covering a distance ...

(Port Liner) of the

Kobe New Transit is the third-sector semipublic company that runs Port Island Line ("Port Liner") and Rokkō Island Line ("Rokkō Liner") automated guideway transit (AGT) systems in Kobe, Japan. When opened in 1981, the Port Liner was the world's first fully ...

. The trains were introduced on February 2, 2006, to coincide with the extension of the Port Island Line to the newly opened

Kobe Airport is a primarily domestic airport on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe, south of Sannomiya StationAIS Japan

. The series is a successor to the 8000 series trains that ran on Port Liner from the line's opening in 1981 until November 2009.

Background

Introduced on February 2, 2006, simultaneously with the extension of the Port Liner to

Kobe Airport is a primarily domestic airport on an artificial island just off the coast of Kobe, south of Sannomiya StationAIS Japan

, the 2000 series is based on the Kawasaki Computer Control Vehicle (KCV) developed by

Kawasaki Heavy Industries is a Japanese Public company, public multinational corporation manufacturer of motorcycles, engines, Heavy equipment (construction), heavy equipment, aerospace and Military, defense equipment, rolling stock and ships, headquartered in Minato, To ...

, the same company that manufactures the 8000 series rolling stock used for the Port Liner since service began. Therefore, it has guide wheels for floating switches installed on both sides of the cars. 2000 series and 8000 series are the only New Transit System rolling stock to handle this type. Since the last of the ageing 8000 series trains were withdrawn in 2009, additional 2000 series rolling stock may be manufactured in the future. Formation numbers are 13 through 15.

Physical design

The exterior of the 2000 series is different from the 8000 series with the unpainted stainless steel body wrapped by lines in the corporate colors, green and blue. The logo mark next to the doors on the 8000 series is not present. The carriage has been changed to the same core-type pneumatic rubber tires used on the 1000 series. The interior is also different from the 8000 series with warm-colored box seats in a 2+1 arrangement. It is also equipped with overhead baggage racks and blinds. As in the 8000 series there is piping on the ceiling above the entry/exit doors to substitute for hand straps, but its shape is different. The communications device has been changed to intercom-form.

Barrier-free (accessibility) conversion

Manufactured in accordance with the Transportation Accessibility Law, the 2000 series has from its beginning had

wheelchair A wheelchair is a mobilized form of chair using two or more wheels, a footrest, and an armrest usually cushioned. It is used when walking is difficult or impossible to do due to illnesses, injury, disabilities, or age-related health conditio ...

spaces and over-door LED information displays to indicate on which side the doors will open with multi-lingual support. 8000 series rolling stock was remodeled to include these features also. The intercom and emergency stop button were also moved close to the wheelchair space and their height adjusted to be usable from a wheelchair. Car body interior space was enlarged (by removing the baggage areas found in the 8000 series), and the elevation difference between platform and entry/exit doors reduced.

References

External links

{{Commons category, Kobe New Transit 2000 series
Washington University: History Review

New Kobe Transit Co., LTD
(Japanese)
New Kobe Transit Co., LTD
(English)
Washington University: ''Automated Guided Transit''
Electric multiple units of Japan Kobe New Transit Train-related introductions in 2006 Kawasaki multiple units