Introduction
The Flexity Swift family are all bi-directional with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides and an emphasis is placed on speed with units capable of safely reaching speeds of 80 km/h (50 mph) when running on dedicated lines. The trams vary in length 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 also be coupled together into trains. Most vehicles typically weigh between 35 and 40 tonnes (34 and 39 long tons; 39 and 44 short tons), though the ones made for the Minneapolis line are heavier due to stricter crashworthiness requirements in the United States (particularly buff strength) and the vehicles in Rotterdam are also heavier due to increased length and more motors. The Flexity Swift family comes in two distinct versions with a 70% low-floor version to allow access to those in wheelchairs without requiring the construction of high platforms in city streets and a high-floor version with level boarding at raised platforms in order to retain compatibility with stations built for older trams or trains.
Systems using the Flexity Swift tram include Cologne (for which it was originally designed), south London's Tramlink, Istanbul, Rotterdam, Stockholm (lines 12 and 22), and the Minneapolis Hiawatha Line. Merseytram in Liverpool/Merseyside planned to use the same model as London, however the tram scheme has been cancelled. Several independent orders have been made for Flexity Swift trams for use on Manchester Metrolink in England which as of January 2010, have begun to be delivered at a rate of two units per month, additional units have since been ordered bringing the total to 62.
The Flexity Swift's closest competitors are Alstom's Citadis, the Siemens Combino and Avanto, Sirio from Ansaldobreda, and Bombardier's other Flexity trams.
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