More than 5 million car journeys annually are expected to be moved onto rails with the help of Bombardier Transportation’s new fleet of BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicles for one of the largest tram networks in Europe. Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM’s) Metrolink system is set to become the UK’s largest tram network by 2016 under its current expansion programme. Bombardier and its consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe are supplying a total of 74 FLEXITY Swift trams for the city, whose travelling public is already impressed with the modern, reliable vehicles.
Since opening in 1992, Manchester’s light rail network has become an integral part of the city’s transport infrastructure. An ambitious expansion programme will double the network in size, while journey times into the city centre will be reduced for an estimated 35,000 new daily passengers. By the time all extensions have been completed the network size will be 97.3 km, three times the size it was in 2010.
Bombardier’s FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicles are TFGM’s trams of choice for this ambitious project, helping to relieve congestion in the Greater Manchester urban area since the first vehicles began operating almost two years ago The FLEXITY Swift vehicles have proved an instant success with both passengers and Metrolink. Commenting on the trams, Philip Purdy, TfGM’s Metrolink Director, said: ”The new vehicles have been very well received by passengers and have helped to make the Metrolink network more robust and, in turn, our services more reliable.The original vehicles have been operating for almost 20 years now and are starting to show their age, so I’m pleased that we can further improve our fleet with these 12 new vehicles.”
Bombardier’s FLEXITY vehicles are operating successfully in cities around the globe. They were selected by TfGM because of their value for money and design flexibility. Overall, Bombardier now has more than 3,500 trams and light rail vehicles in successful revenue service or on order in cities across Europe, Australia and North America.
Manchester’s Metrolink system demonstrates the premium quality and service provided by Bombardier in delivering excellent passenger comfort and proven state-of-the-art technology to the Greater Manchester community. The vehicles are high-floor so they are conducive to the substantial number of former railway stations on the network which have high platforms. The 28.4 m long light rail vehicles with a width of 2.65 m offer a capacity for 200 passengers.
Wide double-door entrances ensure a rapid passenger flow and multi-purpose areas provide space for pushchairs and wheelchair users.
The FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicle is designed by Bombardier and manufactured at its sites in Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Bombardier’s Siegen plant in Germany is responsible for delivering the bogies and Vossloh Kiepe is providing the electrical equipment.
About Bombardier Transportation in the UK
In the UK’s rail transportation industry, Bombardier is the leader in the manufacture and maintenance of rolling stock and is the only remaining train builder in the country. Bombardier Transportation employs around 6,000 people at production facilities in Derby and Plymouth and 15 maintenance and overhaul centres across the UK. Bombardier is contracted to service 5,200 vehicles in Great Britain.
About Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany and has a presence in over 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.
About Bombardier
A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, were $17.7 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Follow Bombardier Transportation on Twitter @BombardierRail.
BOMBARDIER, FLEXITY and ECO4 are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
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