Kick-off for Tram World Cup at Vienna City Hall Square

On Saturday morning, the starting signal for the World Championship in tram driving was given. At Vienna's Rathausplatz, tram drivers from 25 cities compete in eight disciplines, with Wiener Linien representing the Austrian capital. However, it is not a classic race. Instead, the teams are to demonstrate their skills at the wheel in game show-like challenges such as tram bowling and curling.

Vienna 2015 with Tram-EM

Originally, the twelfth Tram European Championship was planned for this year. The first Tram-EM took place in Dresden in 2012, in Vienna in 2015, and in 2023, Wiener Linien won the gold medal in Oradea, Romania. This year, however, Vienna invited drivers from all over the world - including teams from Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Melbourne, and Casablanca.

Around the World Championship, Wiener Linien is also celebrating the 160th anniversary of the tramway in Vienna with information and game stands. The event aims to "bring all the achievements of Wiener Linien to the forefront," said Alexandra Reinagl, Managing Director of Wiener Linien. At the opening, city chief Michael Ludwig also emphasized the importance of public transport in a video greeting. Besides the competition, they want to show "how important it is to expand public transport."

Criticism aside from Tram-WM

Recently, the city government came under criticism due to public transport budget cuts. From January 1, 2026, the 365-euro annual ticket is set to cost 467 euros.

(APA/Red)

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