After decades in which many cities phased them out, trams are making a comeback in major European urban areas. Rising traffic, the limitations of road infrastructure, and the ever-increasing costs of subway projects are prompting authorities to rethink the role of urban public transportation. In this context, tram and light rail systems are once again seen as an efficient solution for mobility in dense cities.
In many cases, attention is turning once again to trams and light rail systems, which can complement regional rail networks and bus transport in densely populated urban areas.
These topics were also discussed at a forum organized by the Swiss Association of Transport Sciences (ASST), where experts and government representatives analyzed the role such systems can play in the urban mobility of the future.
Demand for mobility is growing faster than infrastructure
In Switzerland, public transport usage is at record levels. In the last quarter of 2025, the number of passenger-kilometers traveled by train reached the highest level in history.
At the same time, developing transportation infrastructure is becoming increasingly difficult. Rising costs make it impossible to implement all planned projects, and in urban areas, the space available for new infrastructure is limited.
Under these conditions, transportation planners are once again examining the role of light rail and metro systems, which can provide high transport capacity without requiring investments comparable to those of heavy rail infrastructure or traditional subways.
Trams are making a comeback in urban planning
In the first half of the 20th century, many European cities had extensive tram networks. However, most of these were dismantled as car use increased and bus transport developed.
Today, urban congestion and the limitations of road infrastructure are leading to a reassessment of the role of the tram. In densely populated areas, tram systems can carry a large number of passengers and use urban space more efficiently than road transport.
A survey conducted in Switzerland by the institute gfs.bern shows that the public considers traffic jams to be the biggest transportation problem in cities, which explains the growing interest in high-capacity public transportation solutions.
Lugano Tram-Train: an example of City-Region Integration
One of the examples discussed at the ASST forum is the tram-train project in the Lugano region, in the canton of Ticino.
The concept aims to combine existing rail infrastructure with new tram line segments, creating an integrated system between regional and urban transport.
The project includes, for example, the construction of a tunnel between downtown Lugano and Bioggio, which would reduce travel time from approximately 22 minutes to 7 minutes. The system would better connect the city center with surrounding towns in a region where commuter traffic is very high.
At the same time, the project highlights the challenges of such systems: planning procedures are complex, and infrastructure projects can be delayed by appeals and legal proceedings.
The tram-train concept is also beginning to be considered in Romania
The idea of combining rail and tram infrastructure is also beginning to be considered in Romania.
In the Oradea metropolitan area, authorities are preparing a tram-train project that would connect the city with surrounding towns using both existing tram lines and modernized rail infrastructure.
The project calls for the development of a network of approximately 33 kilometers, with 27 stations, which would link Oradea to the airport and several towns in the metropolitan area.
Such a system could facilitate daily travel between the city and the suburbs without requiring the construction of entirely new rail lines.
Funding influences the choice of transportation systems
One of the conclusions of the ASST forum is that the choice of transportation systems depends not only on technical or mobility criteria, but also on funding mechanisms.
In Switzerland, rail infrastructure is fully funded through a dedicated federal fund, while tram and light rail projects are co-funded through urban agglomeration programs, where cantons and local authorities must cover a significant portion of the costs.
This difference can influence investment decisions, as the system that is easier to finance is sometimes preferred, not necessarily the most suitable one from a mobility perspective.
Trams are not the solution in every context
Although trams and light rail systems can offer significant advantages, experts emphasize that they are not suitable in all situations.
A study conducted in the canton of Zoug analyzed the possibility of introducing a light rail system, but the conclusion was that a system of high-frequency buses with traffic priority would be a more efficient and realistic solution.
This example shows that the choice of transport mode must be made based on urban structure, mobility demand, and cost-benefit analysis.
Urban mobility requires flexible solutions
The general conclusion is that the development of urban transport cannot be based on a single universal solution.
In some cities, trams and light rail systems can effectively complement regional rail networks and bus transport. In other cases, systems such as bus rapid transit (BRT) can offer a more flexible and less costly solution.
For European cities, including those in Romania, the main challenge remains choosing the most suitable mode of transport for each urban context, based on actual mobility needs and not solely on available funding mechanisms.
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