NETHERLANDS: The first Alstom Series M5 Metropolis trainset for the Amsterdam metro operator GVB was officially unveiled on November 24.

Testing is well underway at Alstom’s Valenciennes plant in northern France with the first trainset scheduled to be in service by autumn 2012.

A €200m contract signed in February 2010 will supply 23 trainsets and includes an option for additional cars for the north-south line currently under construction. The initial build is intended to replace the M1-3 cars on routes 53 and 54, providing almost twice as much capacity as the older vehicles.

The 116 m six-car H5 trainset has capacity for 1 360 passengers. According to Alstom, the Metropolis offers an ‘optimal travelling experience’, with high ceilings and large windows as well as LED lighting.