Manchester Metrolink: final new trams arrive in the city as part of £72m investment in the transport network

The final batch of new Metrolink trams ordered as part of a £72m investment package in the Greater Manchester public transport network has arrived in Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) signed a contract for 27 new trams to improve the fleet back in 2018. And now the final batch of new trams have made their way to the city. They are currently undergoing final tests before they will be rolled out onto the lines and start carrying passengers.

Transport authorities said the new trams will boost the Metrolink’s capacity in key areas and are an important part of the work going on to improve public transport across the city-region.

What are the new trams that have arrived for Metrolink?

TfGM signed a contract in July 2018 with Bombardier Transportation UK - which is now called Alstom - and Kiepe Electric to produce a 27-strong batch of the new M5000 trams. Metrolink’s operator KeolisAmey Metrolink received the final trams in this order on Saturday 24 September and they are currently going through the testing and commissioning process before they are put into service.

Transport bosses say the new trams will improve the capacity of Metrolink and enable more trams to be laid on during high-profile events when there are spikes in passenger numbers.

The new trams are funded by the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which has also helped build more car park spaces around the network as well as allow the expansion of the Trafford and Queens Road depots.

Metrolink’s fleet of 147 trams has covered over 118 million kilometres, with the new fleet of vehicles already approaching two million kilometres in service. On average, the city-region’s trams cover an average of 40,000 kilometres a day.

What has been said about the new trams?

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “It’s really important we attract people onto public transport as we build the Bee Network, and Metrolink is a key part of our plans for a more integrated, ‘London-style’ system.

“Metrolink is synonymous with Greater Manchester and, following a decade of investment and growth is now the largest network in the country. We are proud of it, and it shows what can be done when you have local control over something that is run in the interests of the people it serves.

“These new trams represent a further major investment and will provide increased capacity at key growth areas.

“Like the buses, we now need more people to get on board their local Metrolink services so that we can grow patronage and revenues and put Metrolink back on a more financially sustainable footing.

“The more people that use public transport to more we will ultimately be able to reinvest back into the system and make the Bee Network the first-class public transport system that Greater Manchester needs.”

Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at TfGM, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve now received all 27 new trams which will mean we can boost capacity on the network and attract more people onto Metrolink, as well as other modes of public transport as part of the Bee Network.

“Along with investment in our trams, we have also expanded park and ride facilities on the network and are improving cycling facilities at Metrolink stops to support the vision of an integrated public transport system.”