The 32.6m-long vehicles were built at Alstom's Santa Perpetua plant near Barcelona and are capable of accommodating 57 seated and 143 standing passengers.

Alstom is a member of the Tramlink Nottingham Consortium, which was awarded a 23-year design, build, finance, operate, and maintain concession in December 2011. This encompasses the construction of Line 2 to Clifton and Line 3 to Chilwell, and operation of the entire network, including Line 1. Other members of the consortium include civil works contractor Taylor Woodrow and financial partners Meridiam Infrastructure and OFI InfraVia Fund. Keolis and local bus operator Wellglade will be responsible for operating the enlarged network.

The total value of the LRV contract is £294m, which includes a £101m maintenance package covering both the new vehicles and the existing fleet of 15 Bombardier LRVs supplied for the first phase of the network.

Five Alstom vehicles will enter service on Line 1 over the next few weeks, allowing frequencies to be increased ahead of the opening of the phase 2 lines early next year.

Test operation is expected to begin within the next week on the 3.2km section of Line 2 between Station Street and West Bridgford.