| Flexity Swift M5000 | |
|---|---|
M5000 3001 near Piccadilly undercroft |
|
| Manufacturer | Bombardier Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe |
| Built at | Bautzen, Germany Vienna, Austria Assembly and testing |
| Family name | Flexity Swift |
| Constructed | 2009–2012 |
| Number built | 43 (74 planned by 2012) |
| Number in service | 14 |
| Number scrapped | 0 |
| Formation | 2 cars per tram, articulated centre |
| Fleet numbers | 3001–3062 |
| Capacity | 52/8 seats, 146 standing per tram |
| Operator | Manchester Metrolink |
| Line(s) served | All Metrolink Lines |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Car length | 28.4 m |
| Width | 2.65 m |
| Height | 3.67 m |
| Maximum speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Weight | 39.7t per tram |
| Engine(s) | 4x 120kw Bombadier Three-phase AC motors |
| Power supply | 750v DC OHLE |
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Standard gauge |
The M5000 is a model of Flexity Swift high-floor tram, built by the Canadian manufacturer Bombardier Transportation at its factories in Bautzen, Germany and test facility in Vienna, Austria[1] with all electrical equipment supplied by Vossloh Kiepe of Werdohl, Germany.[2]
Contents |
As part of the "Big Bang" network extension project, the Manchester Metrolink fleet was expanded with the introduction of the M5000 tram.
In April 2007 eight Flexity Swift LRVs were ordered, designated M5000, similar to the K5000 series used in the German cities of Cologne and Bonn, and similar to the low-floor CR4000 model used by Croydon's Tramlink. Each tram is 28.4 metres (93 ft) long, and has 52 standard seats with a further 8 "perch" seats; there are also two wheelchair spaces at each end of the tram. At a standard 4 persons per square metre there is space for 146 standing passengers, giving each tram a total peak capacity of 206 when they entered service in autumn 2009[3] The new trams will eventually enable all the Bury–Altrincham direct services to be double trams significantly increasing capacity, this is dependent on the commissioning into service of all vehicles currently delivered and the timings of the T-68/T-68A refurbishment programme. A further four trams of this type have been ordered to allow for a new 12-minute service between Cornbrook and the new Mediacity:uk extension in Salford Quays.
On 24 June 2008 a further 28 trams were ordered for the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside, and Chorlton in South Manchester. All the new trams are being built by Bombardier in Vienna, Austria, and will cost just over £2 million each. The current order book is for 40 new Metrolink trams for the Media:City and Phase 3A expansions.[4] The first delivery of the new trams from Bombardier arrived at Metrolink's Queens Road depot on 13 July 2009, and the first of these new trams entered service on 21 December 2009.[5][6]
On 8 March 2010 another 8 trams were ordered for the Ashton and Didsbury line extensions, due for completion in autumn 2013–2014.[7] Fourteen additional trams were ordered August 2010,[7] twelve trams will be for the Manchester Airport line service and one each for the Oldham and Rochdale town centre extensions.[8] In October 2011, a further 12 units were ordered by TfGM as part of the initial stages of creating a uniform fleet for Metrolink, with the plan that the oldest 12 T-68 vehicles be withdrawn and replaced by the newly ordered vehicles.[9] This takes the total number ordered to 74.
The M5000's have had several incidents in the first few years of service.
3001–3012 were fitted with the old signalling system so they could operate but with 3001/02 out of service long-term 3013 was retro-fitted and operational. 3014/15 have now been fitted with the old signalling system following the opening of the South Manchester Line to St Werburgh's Road. As of 25/08/2011 3016 was in service As of 17/12/2011 3017 was in service
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