Flexity 2 (Blackpool)

Blackpool Council ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation Flexity 2 trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams replaced the Blackpool tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which have been retained for tourist services in the town centre. Blackpool's Flexity 2 trams are intended to be suitable for daily commuters and to provide a service competitive with other modes and comply with legislation on accessibility for disabled users.

Background
Blackpool Council placed the £33m order for the 16 Flexity 2 trams in July 2009, with funding from the council, Department for Transport and Lancashire County Council. The worldwide launch of the Flexity 2 family took place with the unveiling of the first Blackpool vehicle on 8 September 2011. They entered service on 4 April 2012.

Details
The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated cars. There are four doors on each side, two single doors next to the driver cabs in the first and fifth cars and two double doors in the centre of the second and fourth cars. They can accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs, with level boarding from low platforms which were built at stops ready for the introduction of the trams.

The trams have two powered FLEXX Urban 3000 bogies in the centre of the first and fifth cars and an unpowered set in the centre car. The tram utilises a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m in service or 20 m on the depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%.

Livery
The final livery unveiled at the launch consists of white with purple cabs and a purple criss-cross pattern extending along the lower side panels.

Maintenance
The Flexity 2 cars are maintained at a depot at Starr Gate which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick, with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere in Europe.