Flexity Swift
 |
A low-floor Flexity Swift tram in Cologne. |
The
Flexity Swift tram is a
light-rail vehicle manufactured by
Bombardier Transportation. Most models follow a 70%
low-floor design in order to allow access to those in
wheelchairs without requiring the construction of high platforms, though some of
Cologne's fleet use a high-floor format (900
mm) with level boarding platforms instead, in order to retain compatibility with stations built for older trams.
They are bi-directional, with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, and are articulated with three sections. The centre section is very short on most trams, but can be replaced with a longer piece in order to increase capacity, as
London is considering doing for future lines.
The trams can be coupled together into trains, and can safely reach speeds of 80
km/h when running on dedicated lines. Systems using the Flexity Swift tram include
Cologne (for which it was originally designed), south
London's
Tramlink,
Istanbul,
Rotterdam,
Stockholm (lines
12 &
22), and the
Minneapolis Hiawatha Line.
Merseytram in
Liverpool/
Merseyside plans to use the same model as London if it is built.
The Flexity Swift's closest competitors are
Alstom's
Citadis, the
Siemens Combino and
Avanto, and
Bombardier's other Flexity trams (including the
Outlook,
Classic, and
Link).
*
Flexity Swift official site*
About London's trams (unofficial)Technical Information concerning the electrical equipment:
*
K4500 - Cologne*
K5000 - Bonn*
K5000 - Cologne*
CR 4000 - Tramlink Croydon (South of London-UK)*
K4000 - Cologne 
