A £16.3 million contract has been signed for 6 new Croydon trams.
The 32 metre-long trams will be built in Germany by Stadler and are not only air conditioned, but provide better access for disabled passengers.
The first of the new trams will arrive later this year and enter service next spring, after undergoing testing.
The remaining five trams will be delivered between early 2012 and spring.
Some modifications will be made to tram stops as they will need to be lengthened to accommodate the longer trams.
The possibility of using some of the 27 trams destined for Edinburgh was examined, but rejected in favour of ordering bespoke vehicles.
A contribution of £3 million is to be made by the London Borough of Croydon towards the new trams.
