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.

City.Mobi

Also in England today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Manchester.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Manchester.mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.