Bombardier Wins First FLEXITY 2 Tram Order for Blackpool in the UK

FLEXITY 2 trams are driving Britain’s most traditional tram system into a sustainable future

Bombardier Transportation has won the first BOMBARDIER FLEXITY 2 tram order signed worldwide to supply 16 trams to the City of Blackpool. Funded by the Department for Transport (DFT), Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council, this contract is valued at approximately 33 million ($54 million US, 38 million euros). Bombardier, in delivering these trams, is contributing to the revitalisation of Britain’s most traditional tram system, enhancing the city’s attractiveness while reducing energy consumption.

The vehicles are scheduled to be delivered between May 2011 and March 2012. Bombardier will manufacture the vehicles at its sites in Bautzen (Germany) and Vienna (Austria).

Colin Walton, Chairman of Bombardier Transportation UK, said: ”We are delighted that after London, Nottingham and Manchester, yet another British city has selected a Bombardier light rail solution. This order confirms our customers’ confidence in Bombardier as a supplier of reliable and innovative urban transport solutions.”

“The FLEXITY 2 tram is based on our successful FLEXITY trams and has been created to incorporate outstanding, proven features in one single tram. It sets the highest standards in the areas of comfort, security and environmental protection. We are very proud that the Blackpool Council has placed its trust in Bombardier’s latest development to revitalise its tram system,” commented Grego Peters, President Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation.

Blackpool Council Programme Manager Paul Grocott said: “This was a big decision for Blackpool and we believe that we have chosen the right vehicle and the right company to supply it. We are delighted to be the launch customer of the Bombardier FLEXITY 2 and chose it because we are looking for cutting edge, but proven technology with a fresh feel. We know it will bring the existing tramway into the modern age.”

The FLEXITY 2 trams will be 32.5 m long and 2.65 m wide, with five sections and three bogies and is based on the successful, proven and reliable FLEXITY product family. The FLEXITY 2 tram has many technical advantages, including an improved carbody concept, better corrosion protection, an enhanced bogie design (BOMBARDIER FLEXX Urban 3000), an overall reduction of the vehicle mass as well as an enhanced cab structure. The BOMBARDIER MITRAC propulsion technology and an optimised air conditioning system will result in significantly lower energy consumption.

More than 450 FLEXITY low-floorvehicles have been ordered to date and are already in successful revenue service in the cities of Linz and Innsbruck (Austria), Lodz (Poland), Eskisehir (Turkey), Geneva (Switzerland), Brussels (Belgium), Marseille (France) as well as in Valencia and Alicante (Spain). Soon they will also enter service in Palermo (Italy), Augsburg and Krefeld (Germany).