Flexity
| Company type | Product line |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founder | Bombardier Transportation |
Area served | Worldwide (Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America) |
| Products | Trams, streetcars, light rail vehicles |
| Parent | Bombardier Transportation (until 2021), Alstom (current) |
The Flexity series, originally known as Bombardier Flexity until 2021, represents a collection of trams, streetcars and light rail vehicles initially manufactured by Bombardier Transportation and currently produced by the French firm Alstom. By the year 2015, more than 3,500 Flexity units were in service worldwide, spanning 100 urban areas across 20 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America. Manufacturing takes place at Bombardier’s global facilities as well as through partnerships with local producers under technology transfer agreements.
Within Alstom’s product range, the Flexity line serves as a complement to the Citadis series. Its main rivals include models from Siemens Mobility, such as the Combino, Avanto, and Avenio, along with Stadler Rail’s Tango and Variobahn. Other competitors are CAF’s Urbos and AnsaldoBreda’s (now Hitachi Rail Italy) Sirio. In the North American market, competition also features Siemens USA’s S70/S700, U2, SD series, and S200 models, together with products from Kinki Sharyo, Brookville Equipment Corporation, and the Škoda/Inekon/United Streetcar consortium.
Overview
The Flexity lineup includes six principal variants of trams and light rail vehicles. Constructed using corrosion-resistant carbon steel with driver cabins made from glass-reinforced plastic, these vehicles utilize a modular architecture that can be tailored to accommodate different track gauges and varying electrical voltages. Damaged modules can be replaced with ease.
Flexity trams are designed for both uni-directional and bi-directional operation. Most models incorporate a low-floor layout, featuring flexible spaces that facilitate accessible boarding for passengers, including those using wheelchairs. High-floor designs are available in the Flexity LRV range, which can also be configured for use in tram-train applications.
| Model | Floor Type | Directionality | Maximum Speed | Width | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flexity 2 | Fully low-floor (100%) | Bi-directional | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
2.3–2.65 m (7 ft 6+1⁄2 in – 8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) |
32.5 m (106 ft 7+1⁄2 in) |
| Flexity Classic | Low-floor between 65% and 74% | rowspan="2"| Bi- or uni-directional | 70–80 km/h (43–50 mph) |
21–45 m (68 ft 10+3⁄4 in – 147 ft 7+5⁄8 in) | |
| Flexity Outlook | Fully low-floor (100%) | 65–80 km/h (40–50 mph) | 27–43.4 m (88 ft 7 in – 142 ft 4+5⁄8 in) | ||
| Flexity Swift | Low-floor between 70% and 76%, or fully high-floor (100%) | rowspan="3"| Bi-directional | 70–100 km/h (43–62 mph) |
25–42 m (82 ft 1⁄4 in – 137 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | |
| Flexity Link | 50% low-floor | 100 km/h (62 mph) |
37 m (121 ft 4+3⁄4 in) | ||
| Flexity Freedom | Fully low-floor (100%) | 80 km/h (50 mph) | 2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) |
30.8 m (101 ft 5⁄8 in) |
Flexity 2
The Flexity 2 represents Bombardier’s flagship tram model, featuring a completely low-floor design that enhances energy efficiency, impact resistance, and corrosion protection. Its construction incorporates narrower sidewalls to increase interior space. This model also supports Bombardier’s PRIMOVE conductive battery charging technology. Flexity 2 trams are operational in locations such as the Blackpool Tramway, G:link, the trams of Basel, and those in Antwerp.
Flexity Classic
The Flexity Classic combines a classic aesthetic with modern technology, featuring a 70% low-floor layout that requires less maintenance compared to other Flexity variants. It is designed to handle high passenger volumes in closely spaced urban environments, operating in cities such as Adelaide, Dresden, Essen, Frankfurt, and Kassel.
Flexity Outlook
Offering a fully 100% low-floor configuration, the Flexity Outlook comes in two versions: Eurotram and Cityrunner. The Eurotram, developed by Italy's Socimi, is characterized by its unique train-inspired appearance with expansive windows and a combination of powered and unpowered bogies. In contrast, the Cityrunner features a conventional, highly adaptable design with modular components that facilitate straightforward maintenance and future enhancements. These trams are deployed in locations including Strasbourg, Porto, Brussels, and Marseille, with a bespoke variant operating in Toronto.
Flexity Swift
The bi-directional Flexity Swift is offered in both low-floor and high-floor options, tailored for rapid interurban rail transit and light metro systems. It supports multiple unit configurations, variable car lengths, and complies with rigorous crashworthiness criteria. Presently, it is in service in cities such as Cologne, Frankfurt, Minneapolis, London Tramlink, and Manchester Metrolink.
Flexity Link
The Flexity Link tram-train is equipped with dual-voltage functionality and meets mainline railway standards like BOStrab, which allows it to operate seamlessly on both city tram networks and standard rail lines, reducing overall infrastructure expenses. Its current deployment is limited to Saarbrücken, while Bombardier has secured orders for dual-voltage Flexity Swift vehicles for use in Karlsruhe, where the tram-train concept was originally developed.
Flexity Freedom
Designed specifically for the North American market, the Flexity Freedom features modules that are 100% low-floor and supports multiple unit operation similar to the Flexity Swift. It includes air conditioning and customizable interior options. Intended for initiatives such as Toronto's Transit City and Ontario's light rail projects, it has been chosen for Edmonton's Valley Line and is actively promoted by Bombardier for additional light rail contracts across North America.
Customized solutions
Bombardier has adapted its Flexity tram and streetcar models to meet the unique requirements of various urban transit systems, including those in Berlin, Vienna, and Toronto.
Berlin
The Flexity Berlin model, derived from the earlier Incentro design by Adtranz, operates within the Berlin tram network. It features a fully 100% low-floor interior and is available in both uni-directional and bi-directional configurations with either five or seven sections to accommodate contemporary city transit demands.
Vienna
The Flexity Wien serves the Vienna tram network by integrating design aspects from both Flexity Berlin and Flexity 2. This uni-directional tram consists of five sections with a 100% low-floor layout and maintains a floor height of 215 mm for easy boarding at sidewalk level, improving accessibility. A comparable model is planned for introduction in the Graz network by late 2025.
Toronto
A tailored variant of the Flexity Outlook was created specifically for the Toronto streetcar system to succeed the older UTDC-manufactured cars. This air-conditioned tram, consisting of five sections, is designed to fit TTC’s distinctive track gauge and is fully interoperable with its infrastructure. It is equipped with both a trolley pole and a pantograph, facilitating the shift towards advanced overhead wiring systems.
Other models
Beyond the Flexity lineup, Bombardier has manufactured additional tram types such as the Cobra for Zürich and the Incentro for Nantes and Nottingham. These particular models have been discontinued and supplanted by Flexity trams.