The 116 meter long metro was delivered in two pieces by its manufacturer Alstom. The M5 is being put together at the GVB workplace at Diemen. The M5 will be tested over the next six month on the Amsterdam metro tracks. Travelers will be able to use the new metro later in the year. It will replace the Zilvermeeuwen at that point. Mid-2014, twenty three new M5's will be put into service.
Specially trained metro drivers will soon begin the test runs. These will occur mostly at night when the tracks are not busy.
Economical and comfortable
The M5 was designed with the traveler in mind: wide seats, more doors, and wide walkways to allow quick entry and exit. The seats are placed at the sides and the metro can be walked through from end to end. About 50% more passengers can board because the metros are much longer.
It is the first metro in the world that is fitted out entirely with LED lighting. A lot of attention was given in the design to public safety. The entire metro can be monitored using cameras and the design is transparent.
An electronic map shows passengers the transfer options for each station. The M5 is environmentally friendly because of the LED lighting and low weight. It is also one of the quietest metros in the world. The seats are 20% wider than in the tram or bus.
The significant characteristics of the M5 are:
- Six-part vehicle that is 116 meter long
- 174 seats
- Capacity for 960 passengers
- Maximum speed of 80 km/h
- Tall doors (208 cm), 24 doors per side
- High roof (230 cm)
- Entry is at floor level, which connects at the platform
- Wheelchair provisions at two multi-functional spaces
- Displays with traveler information
- Camera monitoring
- Satisfies the strictest fire regulations
- Noise reduction features so the metro is as quiet as possible
- Equipped with vandal proof materials
- The metro is ready to be in service without a driver
This type of metro is expected to go into service on the Noord/Zuidlijn route in 2017. The City Region of Amsterdam is the financier for the new metro and the commissioning party is the Infrastructure, Traffic, and Transportation Service/Municipality of Amsterdam.