Graz opens city bypass tram line

29 November saw the opening of the 1.2km Neutorlinie tramway in the Austrian city of Graz (population 320 000). This links Roseggerhaus and Jakominiplatz, relieving the Herrengasse/Hauptplatz bottleneck, with new stops at Andreas-Hofer-Platz and Stadtbibliotek. The Tegetthoff Brücke over the Mur river had to be widened and strengthened. It is served by lines 16 (Smart City–St Peter) and 17 (Wetzelsdorf–Klinikum Nord) offering the same destinations as lines 6 and 7, with alternate trams running via Hauptplatz and Stadtbibliotek. Work started on this relief line in March 2023. In addition to the new tram tracks much effort has been made to make the affected streets more pedestrian and cycle friendly. The budget was EUR 23.3M, but the cost rose to EUR 38M by completion. The federal government has contributed one third to the cost. The first test run on the new tramway took place on 11 September. The inauguration of passenger service on 29 November saw celebrations at the two new stops, and operation of museum trams. Service started with the first tram at 04.30. All public transport was free of charge for the day. 

 

Member of the National Council, Wolfgang Moitzi, said, 'With the Neutor line, we are demonstrating what is possible when the city, state, and federal government work together. The federal government not only supported this project financially, but also made it clear: modern, efficient public transport is not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement for a climate-friendly, liveable future. The new connection relieves congestion in the city center, provides greater comfort for residents, and strengthens public transport far beyond the Neutor district. For me, one thing is clear: this must only be the beginning. We need bold investments in trams, buses, and trains in the coming years – in Graz, in Styria, and throughout Austria’.