The first new M5000 Metrolink tram has arrived in Manchester after a 1,800km journey - the first of 27 to arrive in the region over the coming months.
Stabled at Metrolink's Queens Road depot, the new vehicle will now undergo thorough testing and commissioning processes ahead of going into service next month.
It's the first to have made the journey from Vienna in Austria, with additional trams set to arrive every three to four weeks.
Transport for Greater Manchester described the news as a "landmark moment", and 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.”
The vehicles, which are 28.4m long, 2.6m wide and 3.6m tall, are manufactured in the Austrian capital in a process using 1km of cabling and 3,117 different parts from 128 different suppliers. Each tram requires 3,500 person hours to complete.
The £72m contract with manufacturer Bombardier Transportation UK and Kiepe Electric was signed in July 2018. They were originally expected to be finished in February this year, but the date was pushed back due to manufacturing issues.
Matt Byrne, Bombardier President UK and 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.”
The trams are being funded by the Transforming Cities Fund and were first announced as part of the Congestion Deal (March 2018), the city-region’s approach for tackling congestion by improving public transport and providing a genuine alternative to driving.
