Basel (BLT) testing Stadler Tina

The Swiss city of Basel is served by two metre-gauge tram operators, the city-owned BVB and the regional operator BLT owned by Canton Baselland. 

 

In November 2021 BLT placed a CHF 125M order with Swiss manufacturer Stadler for 25 seven-section 45.5m Tina low-floor air-conditioned trams to complete the replacement of the remaining 25 trams in its high--floor fleet dating from 1978-81. 

 

The trams each carry 256 passengers (96 seated), and have swivelling bogies at the outer end to ensure a smooth ride. The first tram was delivered in December 2023 and testing on the network has now started. It is hoped to put the first six into passenger service in August 2024. 

 

BLT runs over 65km of tramline, sharing tracks with BVB in the city and then running out to suburban destinations (including one in France) Before 1974 these lines were operated by separate companies and did not reach the city centre.