Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has struck a deal with Derby-based Bombardier to buy 16 more M5000 Flexity trams using cash from the government’s Local Growth Fund.
The £34m contract, which will boost Greater Manchester’s Metrolink service, was initially expected to pay for 12 trams, but through a combination of favourable exchange rates and buying in bulk, the larger order has been made possible.
Alongside a recent order of 10 trams, this latest deal means the M5000 fleet, which has completely replaced the old T68 vehicles, will consist of 120 vehicles by 2017.
Cllr Andrew Fender, chair of the TfGM’s Metrolink Committee, said: “This latest tram order is great news for Metrolink passengers and means there will be 26 new trams set to start running on the network in coming years.”
Source: Rail Technology Magazine
