M5 (Amsterdam Metro)
| Industry | Rail transport manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1928 |
| Headquarters | Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine , France |
| Products | Rolling stock, including Metropolis metro trains |
| Website | www |
The Alstom Metropolis M5 series comprises 28 six-car electric multiple unit (EMU) trains deployed on the Amsterdam Metro, supplied by the French company Alstom between 2012 and 2015. These units are derived from the Alstom Metropolis family, which is also utilized in metropolitan systems such as Barcelona, Budapest, and Shanghai. Although designed for driverless operation, the M5 trains currently run with operators on board.
History
The M5 fleet was commissioned to increase capacity and phase out the aging M1/M2/M3 trains dating back to the 1970s, particularly on the East Line (Oostlijn). Initially, 23 trainsets were ordered, with an additional five sets acquired later to serve the north–south Line 52, inaugurated in 2018. All these units are collectively categorized as M5.
The first two trainsets were manufactured at Alstom’s Valenciennes plant in France and revealed in November 2011; by April 2012, they had been assembled in Amsterdam for testing purposes. Subsequent production took place at Alstom’s facility in Katowice, Poland, causing delivery delays until May 2013. The entire procurement amounted to approximately €200 million.
On 13 February 2013, Alstom received an order for five more trainsets, bringing the total to 28 units. Out of these, twenty-five operate daily while three remain reserved for maintenance duties.
Although initial deployment was targeted for December 2012, technical difficulties postponed the launch. The first trainset arrived at GVB on 2 May 2013 and was slated for service on Line 50 later that month. Delays were further extended due to issues with the Train-TV system; however, a temporary analog setup permitted operations to commence on 26 June. Challenges related to platform gaps at Amsterdam Centraal were addressed, enabling full service on Line 54 by September 2013 and subsequently on Line 53 in 2014.
The last M5 unit was delivered by November 2015. Following the opening of Line 52 in July 2018, M5 trains started operating there as well. From March 2019 onwards, they replaced light rail vehicles on Line 51 after its rerouting.
At , the six-car length of the M5 proved excessive during off-peak times and complicated maintenance procedures since all cars must be taken out of service simultaneously. Consequently, no further M5 units were ordered. Instead, from 2021 onward, shorter three-car M7 series trains were introduced. Two coupled M7 sets provide capacity equivalent to one M5 during peak periods, while single sets cover quieter times—improving operational flexibility and minimizing excess capacity.
Features
Each six-car M5 trainset measures long and wide, featuring 24 doors along each side and accommodating up to 960 passengers. In contrast to earlier M1/M2/M3 models, the M5 prioritizes longitudinal seating to maximize standing room, offering only 18 transverse seats—some of which fold away—located near articulation points and wheelchair-accessible zones.
These trainsets incorporate a fully walk-through interior layout and are equipped with air conditioning, LED lighting inside, and headlights. The door height exceeds that of standard Metropolis designs to better suit the taller Dutch population.
The exterior sports a silver-grey finish with red doors, echoing the original design of the M1/M2/M3 series. In 2018, the fleet adopted R-net branding as part of a network-wide identity update.
Fitted with automatic train control, the M5 operates under semi-automatic conditions at Grade of Automation 2 (GoA 2) but is capable of fully automated turnarounds at Noord station under GoA 4.
Trainsets are composed of two semi-permanently coupled three-car sections forming a fixed six-car unit with consecutive numbering (for example, units numbered 107 and 108). In 2023, halves numbered 115 and 157 were combined after damage occurred to halves 116 and 158; half number 157 was subsequently renumbered as 116.