Transport for Greater Manchester pens £72m contract for new trams

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Bombardier Transportation and Kiepe Electric have been awarded a contract by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to supply 27 new trams for Metrolink, the UK’s largest tram system.

The £72 million deal, which is supported by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, will see the new vehicles provide an extra 4,800 spaces and boost capacity on the network by 15 per cent.

The first M5000 tram, the same model as the existing 120-car fleet, is expected to arrive in February 2020, with other units following on a monthly basis until June 2021

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham 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.


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Photo: TfGM.
Photo: TfGM.

“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.”

The light rail vehicles have a capacity of 206 passengers and can travel at speeds of up to 50mph.


Read more: ScotRail’s Class 385s to enter service after passing safety checks


 

5 COMMENTS

  1. Why not modify some of the M5000 tram vehicles or build new tram-trains if the extension to Stockport does get the green light that will see the Metrolink extended to Stockport railway station and Stockport Town Centre.

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