It is part of the Flexity Swift range of vehicles, built specifically as a high-floor, articulated bi-directional tram to operate solely on the Manchester Metrolink system in England.

[11] In April 2007, eight Bombardier Flexity Swift trams were ordered by the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive for Metrolink; these were intended to supplement the existing T-68/T-68A fleet and increase capacity on the Bury-Altrincham line, which was suffering from overcrowding.

[13] Unlike the previous T-68/T-68A trams, the M5000s lacked retractable steps, as a result the low-height platforms on several of the stops in central Manchester were either raised or removed to create an entirely high-floor network.

In 2011, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) decided it would be more cost effective to replace the entire 32 strong T-68/T-68A fleet with M5000s than to overhaul them, and so 32 more M5000s were ordered in two batches of 12 and then 20 (Nos.

This is a relatively primitive system that works on wheel rotations, and relies on the driver inputting the relevant 'IBIS code' to display the correct destination.

The first 60 units (3001–60) were either delivered with, or retrofitted from withdrawn T68s, automatic tram stop (ATS) and vehicle recognition system (VRS) equipment and can be used anywhere on the Metrolink network.

Units 3061-3147 have never been fitted with this equipment and cannot be used in-between Timperley and Altrincham where the line is operated by Network Rail.

Some of the 3001-60 batch have since had the ATS/VRS removed when the equipment has failed, with the reduction of ATS signalling across the network there is no need for a full 60 vehicles to be fitted.

The frequent 'toot' sounds of the street whistle are a recognisable symbol of the Metrolink network and common background noise in Manchester City Centre.