Manchester's Metrolink trams have been given a new look by design and marketing consultancy Hemisphere.

The new tram livery design is part of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's expansion plans which will see Metrolink's routes extended and 40 new trams, costing just over £2m each, introduced over the next three years. Pictured is a model of how the new trams will look.

Hemisphere was appointed following a five-way competitive tender process in May, and the agency has created the new look working alongside a panel of design industry experts including Manchester's creative director, Peter Saville, font foundry Dalton Maag and transport design specialists Design Triangle.

A key part of the brief was to portray the Metrolink system as being reinvigorated by the investment, “giving it a fresh sense of momentum and direction as well as creating a highly visible design that would be distinctive and iconic for Manchester,” Sue Vanden, Hemisphere's marketing director, explained.

Grant Windridge, the agency's creative director, added: “The chosen yellow will be a strong and visible colour on the street and the graduated circles imply smoothness and speed.  It’s impactful, yet it’s also a very flexible design that has the adaptability to grow and develop along with the city of Manchester.”

Metrolink's director, Philip Purdy, said: “This new look for Metrolink is going to play a key role in communicating our commitment to providing better services for the people of Greater Manchester through our planned extensions and improvements.”