Transport for Greater Manchester is expecting the first of 27 new Metrolink trams to arrive next week, boosting capacity on the network.
The first tram will be put into service before Christmas, once testing and commissioning is complete, with further trams set to arrive every 3-4 weeks after that.
The new trams will be the same M5000 model as the existing fleet. They are being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund, and were first announced as part of the Congestion Deal (March 2018), the city-region’s approach for tackling congestion by improving public transport and providing a genuine alternative to driving.
Once tested and commissioned, they will increase capacity on the network by 15%, enabling Metrolink to run more double trams for customers.
The £72 million contract with manufacturer Bombardier Transportation UK and Kiepe Electric was signed in July 2018. Once tested and commissioned, the new trams will increase capacity on the network by 15%, enabling Metrolink to run more double trams for customers.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “These new trams will be vital to helping us provide more capacity on Metrolink when we come out of lockdown and once again focus on building back better from this virus.”
