In service 2009-Present Constructed 2009–2016 | Family name Flexity Swift Number built 120 | |
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Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation and Vossloh Kiepe Built at Bautzen, Germany
Vienna, Austria
Assembly and testing | ||
The M5000 is a model of light rail passenger vehicle. It is part of Bombardier Transportation's Flexity Swift range of vehicles, built specifically as a high-floor, articulated bi-directional tram to operate solely on the Manchester Metrolink system in England. The Metrolink system is the only tram network in the United Kingdom to run multiple vehicles together and subsequently the M5000 can operate as either a single vehicle or coupled together to form a "double" unit.
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The first M5000 entered service on 21 December 2009. Following the withdrawal of the last T-68s, the M5000s have operated all Metrolink services since May 2014. As of October 2016, 119 have entered service.
History
In April 2007, eight Flexity Swift LRVs were ordered by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive for Metrolink; with a further four being ordered in November 2007 to allow for a new 12-minute service between Cornbrook and the new MediaCityUK extension in Salford Quays. Designated the M5000, they are similar in design to the K5000 series used in the German cities of Cologne and Bonn, and comparable to the low-floor CR4000 model used by Croydon Tramlink. The M5000s were built by Bombardier Transportation factories in Bautzen, Germany and test facility in Vienna, Austria, with all electrical equipment supplied by Vossloh Kiepe of Werdohl, Germany.
Each vehicle is 28.4 metres (93 ft) long. Numbers 3001 to 3074 have 52 standard seats with a further 8 "perch" seats, while numbers 3075 upwards have 60 standard seats and 6 perch seats. On numbers 3001 to 3074 there are two wheelchair spaces, one in each half of the tram; which increased to four spaces for numbers 3075 upwards. At a standard 4 persons per square metre there is space for 146 standing passengers, giving each vehicle a total peak capacity of 206 passengers. The M5000 can be operated as single vehicles or in pairs, the latter providing capacity for over 400 passengers at any one time. The trams are equipped with a passenger information system to deliver timely and relevant travelling information using Mitrac's propulsion system.
In June 2008, a further 28 trams were ordered for the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, and Chorlton. The first M5000 was delivered on 13 July 2009, entering service on 21 December 2009.
In March 2010, a further eight trams were ordered for the Ashton-under-Lyne and East Didsbury line extensions. Fourteen additional trams were ordered in August 2010. In October 2011, a further 12 units were ordered 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 this was followed by an order in July 2012 for a further 20, when it was decided to replace all of the T68s.
In 2013, ten more were ordered in anticipation of the Trafford Park Line before the production line closed. In September 2014, TfGM ordered a further 16, bringing the total amount of units ordered to 120.
In service
The M5000s operate all Metrolink services. As at October 2016, 119 had entered service. They operate both singularly and in pairs, denoted by dbl for pairs on passenger information displays. Multiple M5000s are able to be coupled and operate as triple and quadruple units however this only happens in case of emergency such as a tram unit breaking down. Most platforms on the Metrolink are not long enough to accommodate triple and quadruple units and the increased length of tram units would require signalling and point changes. Furthermore, the increased length of triple or quadruple trams would cause issues in areas of large pedestrian traffic nearby such as stops through Manchester city centre.
The first 60 (3001-3060) are fitted with automatic tram stop and vehicle recognition equipment and can be used anywhere on the Metrolink network. The last 60 (3061-3120) are not fitted with this equipment and can only be used on services to Ashton-under-Lyne, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport and Rochdale. Eight are fitted with ice-breaker pantographs. 3004, 3005, 3051 and 3055 at Queens Road Depot and 3014, 3016, 3017, 3021 and 3032 at Trafford Depot.