Transport for Greater Manchester has announced the first of 27 new trams for the Manchester Metrolink has arrived after a 1,800km journey across Europe.
The M5000 tram is stabled at the Queens Road depot and will undergo testing and commissioning before entering service before Christmas.
More trains are then going to arrive every 3-4 weeks.
The new trams were manufactured in Vienna, Austria and require 3,500 manhours to complete.
TfGM Head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “I'm delighted that the first of the new trams has arrived safely in Manchester.
“Their arrival is not only important to us in the short term, as we'll be able to add extra capacity throughout next year to help with social distancing and make tram travel even safer for passengers, but also long term as we seek to rebuild and encourage people safely back onto the network post pandemic.
“However, I'd like to remind people that the network is currently for those needing to travel for work, education or other essential reasons only. If you must use public transport, please remember the basic rules – such as wearing a face covering and sanitising your hands – when using our buses, trains and trams.”
Matt Byrne, Bombardier President UK & Ireland, said: ‘As a proud Mancunian and regular Metrolink user, I am particularly delighted that the first of our 27 new M5000 trams has now arrived in Manchester to add capacity and help allow for social distancing across the Metrolink network.
“The new vehicles continue our long-standing relationship with Transport for Greater Manchester, with whom we are working closely to ensure a smooth introduction into passenger service.”
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I probably would think that Alstom, Siemens, Stadler or CAF could manufacture new tram-train vehicles if the Stockport extension does get the go ahead. And yes congratulations to Bombardier for building another 27 M5000 tram stocks as the extension of the Trafford Park line is completed. And with the proposal for the line to extend to Port Salford. With a loop to be built around Wythenshawe Town Centre.
So an extra 27 M5000 trams for Metrolink because of the extension of the Trafford Park Line and with phase 2 of the new line to be extended to Port Salford if approved.
Why not build the same kind of trams but for the proposed extension to Stockport if Bombardier were to manufacture tram-trains and a new loop around Wythenshawe.