Bombardier to supply 20 additional light rail vehicles to Manchester Metrolink in the UK

Bombardier Transportation together with consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe has signed an option to supply 20 additional BOMBARDIER FLEXITY Swift light rail vehicles (LRVs) to Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM’s) Metrolink system. This option forms part of the contract signed with Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE now referred to as TfGM) in 2007 and is valued at approximately GBP 33 million GBP (42 million euro, $51 million US), with Bombardier’s share valued at approximately GBP 25 million GBP (32 million euro, $38 million US).

Trams and light rail vehicles are the most energy efficient mode of transport, consuming up to five times less energy per passenger than cars(1). Bombardier’s family of FLEXITY vehicles offers modern mobility solutions fitting the requirements of any city, ranging from 100 per cent low-floor trams to proven dual system solutions. The vehicles are designed for sustainable mobility throughout their lifetime with a recyclability rate of approximately 92 per cent and a recoverability rate(2) of about 98 per cent.

At 28.4 m long and 2.65 m wide, the LRVs for Manchester can accommodate more than 200 passengers. Wide double-door entrances ensure rapid passenger flow and multi-purpose areas provide space for pushchairs and wheelchair users. The vehicles’ ease of maintenance and industry-leading reliability ensure unparalleled operational efficiency.

Germar Wacker, President Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation added: “Our FLEXITY Swift vehicles have now been running in passenger service in Manchester for more than two years and have proved to be a success with both the travelling public and the customer. We have an excellent relationship with Transport for Greater Manchester and are delighted to be able to further cement our partnership with this additional order.”

To date Bombardier has delivered 54 vehicles to Manchester. Bombardier won its first order from TfGM in April 2007 for eight LRVs and has since received option orders for 66 additional LRVs in several batches. Today’s order for 20 further vehicles brings the total number of LRVs ordered to date from the consortium for Manchester up to 94 light rail vehicles.

As consortium leader, Bombardier designs and manufactures the vehicles at its sites in Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Bombardier’s Siegen plant in Germany is responsible for delivering the bogies. The consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe provides the electrical equipment.

More than 1,700 FLEXITY trams are in successful revenue service. A total of more than 3,500 Bombardier trams and light rail vehicles are in service or on order in cities across Europe, Australia and North America.