The contract to deliver 27 new M5000s for Manchester Metrolink has been signed to help increase capacity on the network by 15%. The 27 trams are part of a £72 million deal and are set to start arriving in Manchester in February 2020.
The trams will be of the same type as those already operating on Manchester Metrolink and will once again be built by Bombardier. Details of where they will be built haven’t been confirmed as part of the press release announcing the signing of the contract.
With the first tram – likely to be numbered 3121 – due to arrive in February 2020 the others will follow on a monthly basis until the order is completed in June 2021.
The trams will be funded by the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and details of the boost to capacity was first announced earlier this year as part of the Congestion Deal with is the city-region’s approach for tackling congestion by improving public transport and providing a genuine alternative to driving.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester is growing. That means more jobs, more people and more demand on our public transport networks and these new trams will be a very welcome – and much needed – addition to the Metrolink fleet. By significantly enhancing capacity we will enable more people to leave their cars at home and use Metrolink to commute to their jobs, access essential services and explore our amazing city-region. That means less congestion on our roads, less pollution in our air and a better quality of life for everyone. I cannot wait to see the first new trams put into action.”
Richard Hunter, Managing Director of Bombardier Transportation UK, added: “We are delighted to have been selected by TfGM to provide a further fleet of Bombardier’s FLEXITY M5000 light rail vehicles to add to the 120 cars already in operation. We are proud to support Andy Burnham’s aim of encouraging people across the city-region to leave their cars at home.”