TRANSPORT bosses have ordered 28 trams which will run on Greater Manchester’s three new Metrolink lines.
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has made the move as part of a £575 million project to build new lines to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden in Tameside, and Chorlton in South Manchester.
The trams will be built by global transport company Bombardier in partnership with Vossloh Kiepe and are costing just over £2 million each. The new model of tram already operates in several European cities, including Cologne and Bonn.
Construction work on the new lines is due to start early next year and the lines are expected to begin opening from spring 2011 onwards.
GMPTE ordered 12 new trams from Bombardier last year to relieve overcrowding on the existing Metrolink network and provide a new service to MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays. The latest order will take the total number of trams on the Metrolink network to 72.
Up to 200 passengers will be able to travel on each of the new trams and wide double doors will make it easy for people with wheelchairs or child buggies.
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