Manchester Metrolink M5000 3125 has followed quickly behind 3124 in entering service with in service by on Friday 28th May when it as allocated to the East Didsbury to Rochdale Town Centre route as part of a double unit with 3119. This came shortly after 3124 had first run in passenger service with both having been seen on mileage accumulation at the end of the previous week.
3125 took just less than six weeks between initial delivery and entry into service having arrived at Queens Road Depot on Saturday 17th April 2021. As mentioned in the introduction it was noted on mileage accumulation (alongside 3124) on 21st May as part of its overall commissioning and in running in service has become the 125th of the class to run in Manchester.
On 28th May of the new batch of M5000s (3121–3126 which have so far been delivered) four were in service with 3121 on the Eccles-Ashton line, 3122 with 3056 on the East Didsbury-Rochdale route, 3123 with 3060 on the Bury to Piccadilly service and as we’ve seen 3125 on the East Didsbury-Rochdale line along with 3119. The other two – 3124 and most recent arrival 3126 – were both seen at Queens Road Depot.
3126 was only delivered to Manchester on 22nd May and will now be going through its own commissioning before it too enters service. In total there will be 27 trams in this batch (taking the fleet up to no. 3147) and these are due to be delivered at regular intervals over the next 12-18 months or so.