Supertrams are heading our way

BRIGHT new trams have been ordered as transport chiefs signalled an early retirement for Greater Manchester’s old-style grey and white fleet.

Metrolink is due to open in Oldham next spring and will utilise the new yellow and silver trams.

More than 60 of the M5000 Bombardier trams have already been ordered, predominantly to serve the expanding Metrolink network, which will also take in Manchester Airport, East Didsbury, Ashton and Rochdale.

Members of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) have also ordered 12 more to replace some of the original and oldest Metrolink vehicles, which have been in service since the network opened in 1992.

26 trams served the original line — Altrincham to Bury — and a further six came into service in 2000 when the Eccles line opened, taking the total fleet to 32.

TfGM chiefs say replacing them now will lead to even more reliable services for passengers, because the new M5000s are statistically four times less likely to develop a disruptive fault than the T68s.

The new models are also 10 tonnes lighter, so will reduce energy costs and extend the life of existing rails.