Streetcars and Trams Around the World
With the strong possibility that Milwaukee will be seeing streetcar service return to our streets in the coming years, we thought we should show some example systems from cities around the world.
Portland
Portland has led the way with transit infrastructure in the U.S. For example, it was the first U.S. city to bring modern streetcars to it’s streets.
Seattle
The 2.6 mile Seattle South Lake Union Streetcar line started service in December 2007, and exceeded its first year ridership estimates three months ahead of schedule.
Vancouver
Vancouver is currently running these Bombardier Flexity streetcars as a demonstration project.
Melbourne
Reportedly, the largest tram network in the world, consisting of 152 miles of track, at least 500 trams, 28 routes, and 1,800 transit stops.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam runs a variety of trams including the 100% low-floor Siemens Combino trams.
Prague
This isn’t the everyday service in Prague, but it sure looks like a fun way to ride the streetcar.
These are just a handful of the numerous systems operating around the world, hopefully soon Milwaukee will be added to this list.
More about the Milwaukee Streetcar
For more project details, including the project timeline, financing, route and possible extensions, see our extensive past coverage.
- Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
- Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 9th, 2024
- The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service - Jeramey Jannene - May 30th, 2024
- Streetcar Begins Daily Service To The Couture, BRT Will Soon Follow - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 11th, 2024
- Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 8th, 2023
- Transportation: Streetcar Extension Opens Sunday - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 28th, 2023
- Ride Along On Streetcar Extension Before It Opens - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 11th, 2023
- Lakefront Streetcar Extension Opens October 29 - Jeramey Jannene - Aug 22nd, 2023
- Streetcar Ridership Has Climbed For 27 Straight Months Year-Over-Year - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 28th, 2023
- Transportation: Harley-Davidson Is New Streetcar Sponsor - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 7th, 2023
Read more about Milwaukee Streetcar here
I’ll have to check out Seattle and Vancouver on the same trip. I get to Australia next year.
Portland’s is great, but I liked Amsterdam’s the most out of the line up. The blue colors were really well done, and we had such an easy time getting around the city. I don’t know if I tried Prague’s streetcar…does look like a party, which does sound like Prague!
Bombardier has a pretty slick website offering their new Flexity 2 Streetcar/Tram vehicles. In the literature, they noted that the vehicles can operate entirely with a catenary wire, and that their propreitary (of course) system is especially useful for cities with a significant amount of snow and ice. I sure hope that the city and its consultants are considering this leading edge vehicle (I’m sure other manufacturers make something similar) when they are making decisions.
Here’s the website: http://www.flexity2.bombardier.com/swf/index.html
Thanks for the summary, guys!
@Kevin I have my money on the skoda or the U.S. skoda knockoff:) But nothing has been selected to my knowledge yet… I do like those Flexity 2 Street/Tram vehicles as well.
I’m a fan of Bombadier, a Canadian company they are currently building 400 new railcars for the CTA so they already have a strong developed presence in the US, and their designs look pretty good.
I like the streetcar section but you forgot the best: Freiburg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obKD-NJy0x8
Enjoy
Valerie