Metrolink is about to phase out some of its original fleet of trams and replace them with new yellow and silver M5000 trams.
A total of 74 yellow and silver M5000 Bombardier trams have been ordered. These will predominantly serve the expanding network with new lines to Manchester Airport, East Didsbury, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham and Rochdale well underway. The first of these new trams was introduced into service on the existing network at the end of December 2009.
A plan to commence the phasing out of some of the original fleet of 32 T68 trams, which have been in service since the network opened in 1992, will be developed with the operator MRDL.
The introduction of the new trams means passengers will experience quieter, smoother journeys, less crowding at peak times and a more reliable service.
As the M5000s are ten tonnes lighter, they will also reduce energy costs and prolong the life of the existing rails by several years, reducing the long-term costs of track renewals.
The new yellow and silver trams not only look strikingly different from the original trams, they bring a host of other new features such as:
Where they come from
The M5000 Flexity Swift trams are manufactured by global transport company Bombardier at its factory in Vienna in Austria. The electrical equipment is provided by Vossloh Kiepe in Dusseldorf.
Where else they run
Similar vehicles operate in several European cities including London, Cologne, Bonn, Rotterdam and Stockholm.
Why they are more accessible
The new trams are compliant with Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR). This means that there is more room in circulation areas such as in and around doorways and aisles.
Key facts
