Another new tram line in Wien (Vienna)

6 October marks the opening of tram line 27 in the Austrian capital, adding another service to one of the world’s largest tramway systems (171km). The new 13.5km line links Strebersdorf with Asper Nord, 13.5km, of which 2.4km are new tracks with six additional stops. From Strebersdorf ro Prinzgasse line 27 shares tracks with line 26, before branching off on the new alignment. The terminus at Aspern Nord offers interchange with U-Bahn (metro) service U2 and S-Bahn commuter rail services. The new section of line includes a three-lane green boulevard without motor traffic and 800m of grassed tracks with 300 new trees. At Aspern Nord a 120m bridge carries the line across the railway tracks. At peak periods line 27 operates every 6.5 minutes, giving a 3.5-minute headway on the shared section with line 26. The new line forms the basis of an urban development area with up to 20 000 additional apartments planned. The capacity of the tramway is 20 000 passengers/day. The City Council estimates CO2 savings of up to 1600t annually. 6 October saw the removal of line 33 (Josefstädter Strasse–Friewdrich-Engels-Platz) from the network to avoid duplication;lication over existing tracks, following the extension of line 12 last month. Another new tramway extension is planned for autumn 2026 taking line 18 from Schlachthausgasse to Ernst-Happel-Stadion, creating another interchange with line U2.