M5 (Amsterdam Metro)

The Alstom Metropolis M5 is a fleet of 28 six-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains for the Amsterdam Metro, delivered by the French manufacturer Alstom between 2012 and 2015. The trains are based on the Alstom Metropolis series, with variants in use by metro systems in various foreign cities such as Barcelona, Budapest, Santiago, and Shanghai. Although the trains are suitable for driverless operation, they are currently operated by drivers.

History

Initially, 23 M5-series metro trains were ordered to replace the old LHB M1/M2/M3 trains from 1973 to 1980 on the East Line (''Oostlijn'') and partially expand the limited fleet. For the north–south line ( Line 52), which opened in 2018, an option was taken for a second series of 12 trainsets, originally designated as M6. The procurement of the new trains was part of the tasks assigned to Amsterdam Metro System (AMSYS), a project bureau under the Infrastructure, Traffic & Transport service (dIVV) of the Government of Amsterdam.

The first two trainsets were built at Alstom's factory in Valenciennes, France. The first vehicle was officially presented on November 24, 2011, in Valenciennes. The first half of the first trainset (three cars) was delivered in three parts by truck to Diemen on April 11, 2012. Shortly afterward, the second half was delivered in three sections by trailer. The six cars were then assembled into a complete metro train on a straight section of track. Further deliveries began slowly. Although these trainsets were expected to be ready for regular service in December 2012 after a few months of testing, technical and software issues delayed this until 26 June 2013.

Deliveries of the rest of the series, built at Alstom's facility in Katowice, Poland, from the third quarter of 2012, were significantly delayed and only began in May 2013. According to the initial plan, the 23rd and last trainset would be delivered by the third quarter of 2014, but this was only completed in the second quarter of 2015. The M6 series was then scheduled for delivery starting in 2015 and was expected to be completed by 2016. The total cost of this order amounted to 200 million euros.

On February 13, 2013, Alstom announced the order of five additional trainsets, bringing the total to 28, with 25 sets allocated for service. All 28 trains are now designated as M5 by GVB. The fleet of this type has reached its final size. To increase flexibility and capacity, the Amsterdam Regional Transport Authority (''Stadsregio Amsterdam'') ordered shorter M7 trains, deliveries of which began in 2021. These consist of 30 three-car trainsets (with an option for 30 more) that can be combined into six-car units. They are similar to the M5 series but built by CAF.

On May 2, 2013, the first trainset, numbered 109–110, was handed over to GVB. After driver training, it was scheduled to enter service on Line 50 in May 2013. However, during trial runs, an issue with the Train-TV system caused further delays in deployment.

On June 20, 2013, GVB announced that the M5 would enter service on June 26, 2013. A temporary fix for the Train-TV issue involved using the analog system from the older M1/M2/M3 train cars in the M5, while Alstom worked on a permanent solution.

The curved platform at Amsterdam Central Station caused a large gap between the platform and the front car, where the wheelchair-accessible space is located. An initial test using a foam strip to close the gap was unsuccessful. On September 9, 2013, the M5 also entered service on Line 54, and from the 2014 schedule, it ran on Line 53 (in combination with Line 54).

When Line 52 opened in July 2018, the M5 trains were also introduced on that line.

As of March 3, 2019, the M5 series was used on Line 51, which no longer operates as a light rail line to Amstelveen but was rerouted from Zuid Station to Isolatorweg as a full metro service.

On November 6, 2015, trainset 162 was delivered and coupled to trainset 161, delivered on 30 October, completing the delivery of all 28 M5 trainsets.

Features

The six-car metro trainsets are 116.2 meters long and 3 meters wide, featuring 24 doors on each side (48 in total) and accommodating up to 960 passengers. Like the older M1/M2/M3 trains, they have hard seating benches. Unlike the previous rolling stock, most of the seats are placed longitudinally, creating more standing space. Only at the wheelchair-accessible areas in the end cars and near the articulated sections are there 18 transverse seats, including four folding seats.

The metro is fully walk-through and equipped with air conditioning. Both interior lighting and headlights use LED lamp. The doors of the Amsterdam version of the Metropolis series are made extra tall to accommodate the taller average height of people in the Netherlands.

The color scheme of the new trainsets is inspired by the original design of the LHB rolling stock: silver-gray with red doors. In 2018, the metros were updated with R-net branding.

The trainsets are equipped with automatic train control. They can operate semi-automatically under GoA 2 and perform fully automatic turnarounds at Noord Station under GoA 4.

The trainsets are assigned fixed combinations of sequential car numbers. However, in 2023, trainset 115+157 was combined due to severe damage to trainsets 116 and 158, with the undamaged set 157 being renumbered to 116.d'Amsterdamse tram 2935

Interior

File:Amsterdam Metro M5 interior, 2022.jpg, Interior view
File:Metro Amsterdam M5 Interieur 2012 september 03.JPG, Wheelchair and stroller space
File:Metro train M5 type - 161 Amsterdam 2018.jpg, Open gangway connection
File:Metro Amsterdam M5 Interieur 2012 september 07.JPG, Seating bench
File:Metro Amsterdam M5 Interieur 2012 september 04.JPG, Passenger information screen
File:Metro Amsterdam M5 Interieur 2012 september 02.JPG, Driver's cab

References

Electric multiple units of the Netherlands
Amsterdam Metro
Train-related introductions in 2013
750 V DC multiple units
Alstom multiple units