First Alstom Flexity enters service in Graz

On 27 May passengers in the Austrian city of Graz were able to ride their new Alstom Flexity tram for the first time. The contract for the purchase and maintenance of 15 trams was signed on 31 January 2024. The 33.8m five-section 100% low-floor single-ended tram can carry up to 200 passengers (60 seated). Since the contract was signed, the city has taken up the option to add another 16 trams; all 31 cars should be in service by mid-2028. The first 15 trams are costing EUR 62M plus EUR 52M for maintenance over 24 years, and the option order is worth EUR 69M. The city council is expected to approve the purchase of an additional 24 trams, with co-financing is coming from the European Investment Bank as a key component of EU climate policy. The first tram has been named Theodora after Mrs Theodora Acham, who made history in 1988 as Graz’ first female tram driver. Delivery started in October 2025, followed by commissioning, testing and training. Eight trams have arrived so far and will replace firstly 22 trams dating from the 1970s and 1980s, including the remaining 10 high-floor trams of series 500 and 12 600 series cars that have just a low-floor centre section. 

 

Gert Heigl , CEO of Holding Graz: “The number of public transport users, which has been rising for years, will continue to increase in Graz in the coming years, not least due to ongoing population growth and changes in mobility behavior. The consequence of this development is that public transport and a modern mobility service must be further expanded in Graz. Graz Linien currently has 85 trams in its fleet. During the morning rush hour, 66 of these are in operation. With the 31 additional trams being delivered over time, the public transport service on Graz's trams will be increased by 30% in terms of passenger capacity.” 

 

The city of Graz (population 283 800) is the capital of the province of Styria and has benefitted from tram transport since 1878 (electric trams from 1898). About 52M passengers/year are carried on six lines totalling 67.2km with 85 trams in the fleet.