According to UITP’s latest report ‘Light Rail in Figures,’ 13.6 billion passengers boarded a tram or light rail vehicle in 2014 in the 388 cities where a system is running.
The report reveales that the busiest networks in passenger numbers headed by Budapest (396m), Vienna (363m) and Bucharest (322m). There is a current total of 15,600 km of track globally and Melbourne (245km) and St. Petersburg (240km) boast the world’s longest networks.
A significant growth in LRT and tramway in recent years has seen the creation of 78 new systems internationally since 2000, with USA and France leading the way with 23 and 20 respectively.
LRT and tramway systems are in operation in 388 cities around the world, most of which are in Europe (206 cities) and Eurasia (93).
Over 15,600 km of light rail infrastructure are being operated worldwide, with another 850 km under construction and 2,300 at the planning stage.
“Local rail including trams, metros and commuter railways provides safe, convenient affordable and sustainable mobility to 265 million people in some 400 cities around the world every day. As a result of its attractiveness, many urban rail systems face overcrowding. Significant investment is required to meet this growing demand: more lines, extensions, additional rolling stock and improved signalling but also to maintain and refurbish sometimes built more than a century ago,” Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General said.
Photo: Wiener Linien