Urban rail transport in Graz is being expanded further! An important new route has just gone into operation, further sections are being planned and, last but not least, there is also a new generation of vehicles.
The Neutorlinie: relieving congestion in the city centre
After two and a half years of construction, the long-awaited new Neutorlinie in Graz officially started operation on 29 November 2025. The tram line runs from Jakominiplatz via Radetzkystraße, Neutorgasse, Andreas-Hofer-Platz, Tegetthoffbrücke, through Belgiergasse and Vorbeckgasse to Annenstraße. It creates the first direct tram connection through Neutorgasse, significantly relieving the heavily frequented Herrengasse and public transport in the city centre.
As part of the project, the Tegetthoff Bridge was also reinforced and widened, new cycle paths and footpaths were built, and central energy, water and telecommunications lines were renewed. At the same time, Graz Linien used the construction phase to carry out additional infrastructure measures in the west of the city, including track and stop work as well as work on Remise 3 and the main station.
With the opening of the line, two new lines were introduced via Neutorgasse: the 16 and the 17. During the day, every second train on the previous line 7 runs as line 17 on the Neutor line, while in the evenings, on weekends and on public holidays, line 16 takes over service on the new line. Four new stops with shelters are being built along the new route, including ‘Andreas-Hofer-Platz/Joanneumsviertel/tim’ and ‘Bad zur Sonne/Stadtbibliothek’.
Planning decision for the new line 8
With the new tram line 8, the city of Graz is planning a 12.6 km connection from Gösting to Straßgang, of which around 11 km will be new track. Once completed, the line will run from Gösting via Lendplatz, Volksgartenstraße, Roseggerhaus, the existing inner-city routes, Radetzkystraße, Griesplatz, Karlauplatz, City-Park, Don Bosco, Reininghaus and Wetzelsdorf to Straßgang. The municipal council is expected to pass the planning resolution on 11 December 2025. The city and Holding Graz are providing €5.37 million (2026–2029) for the first two planning phases.
In the first phase of construction, two sections, each around 2 km long, are being planned in parallel:
Inner North-West Line (NW1) from Roseggerhaus to Fröbelpark, including a new turning loop and bridge renovations.
South-West Line 2 (SW2) from Karlauer Gürtel via Citypark to the Don Bosco junction and on to Reininghaus, partly in mixed traffic, partly on its own route.
Planning will continue until 2028, with construction scheduled to start in 2030 and commissioning in 2033.
Line 8 is intended to connect important growing districts, relieve existing lines and create direct connections to the S-Bahn. When fully operational, up to 65,000 passengers per day (2040) are expected, making it the busiest line in Graz. Nineteen new vehicles will be needed for operation (11 already in phase 1).
Construction costs are currently estimated at €72 million (NW1) and €93.5 million (SW2). Graz is preparing funding negotiations with the state and federal government and intends to keep the public informed on an ongoing basis.
New trams
At the beginning of October, the first of 15 new low-floor trams ordered from Alstom (originally Bombardier) arrived in Graz. We reported on the order already HERE. The new vehicles of the well-known Flexity™ model will enter regular passenger service in 2026 and increase passenger capacity in Graz by 30%. Key data for the trams:
- Capacity for 200 passengers (140 standing and 60 seated)
- 33.81 metres long with 6 double doors for fast passenger exchange
- Completely barrier-free interior with a minimum entry height of 215 mm
- Lightweight stainless steel construction and energy-efficient technology, such as a sustainable air conditioning system
- ODAS™ driver assistance system for obstacle detection and ECO-Drive system for driver support
- Mobile phone charging stations, wheelchair and pram spaces, modern information monitors and LED door position indicators
The tramcars are manufactured at Alstom’s Vienna plant.
