The global trend towards the development of urban public transport is underscored by the debut and entry into service of new tram models in 2024. A notable feature is the increasing delivery of trams with a high number of cars to numerous metropolitan areas, resulting in greater passenger capacity across fleets. Work also continues to expand the operational range of tram-trains, rolling stock capable of running on both urban and mainline railway infrastructure.
Trams by Alstom
French Alstom dominates the global tram market, a position significantly strengthened by its 2021 acquisition of Canadian Bombardier Transportation, which brought the Flexity platform into Alstom’s portfolio. Combined with its own Citadis platform, the manufacturer now possesses two of the world’s most widely operated tram families, with over 3,500 Flexity and 3,000 Citadis vehicles delivered to date.
The previous year of 2024 marked the launch of Alstom’s latest model, Citadis X05, in France and Morocco. The French city of Nantes put into service first seven-car LRVs with a passenger capacity of 300 people. Among others, the new rolling stock features automatic door opening triggered by approaching passengers. It is also reported that the vehicles are fitted with motors, which consume 13% less energy, compared to the previous Citadis trams. The city plans to launch 61 such LRVs by 2027.
In Casablanca, the largest Morocco’s city, two tram lines with five-car Citadis X05 units were launched. The vehicles run in multiple, i.e. two trams are operated as a single unit to form a 64 m long LRV. This configuration achieves a total passenger capacity of 630 people.
The company’s main debut in 2024 was the launch of a new modification of five-car Citadis X05 trams in Paris. Alstom says that the new TW20 model is 30% more energy efficient due to an improved traction and a better climate control systems. The TW20 is made of 95% recyclable components, 99% of which can be reused. All 37 TW20 trams with a passenger capacity of 200 people are planned to be put into revenue service by late August 2025.
Another notable innovation is one of the longest trams in Alstom’s portfolio. The 50.9 m long nine-car Urbanliner Flexity is produced for Berlin. The first out of 17 trams, ordered by Germany’s capital, was unveiled at InnoTrans 2024. The Urbanliner boasts an upgraded running gear that enhances ride smoothness and reduces vibration transmission. The driver’s cab has been enhanced with improved ergonomics, replacing traditional mirrors with camera systems. With a passenger capacity of 312, the tram is equipped with an obstacle detection system.
The Urbanliner Flexity tram at InnoTrans 2024. Source: Jens Herfort Pedersen/flickr
The Citadis 302 model, originally developed in the mid-2000s, remains in strong demand. In May 2024, 26 five-car Citadis 302 trams entered service in Dujiangyan, China. Notably, these were manufactured at the Changchun plant, which is a joint venture of Alstom and China’s CRRC. In addition, Alstom has started deliveries of seven-car Citadis 402 trams to Lyon.
The Citadis 302 tram in Dujiangyan. Source: UnkoEats/X
Moreover, Alstom has announced a delivery of 20 three-car Citadis B trams to Saudi Arabia. They feature a battery traction, eliminating the need of overhead wires. The manufacturer underlines that it will rely on the experience from Dubai’s battery tram line, launched in 2014.
Trams by Stadler
Swiss manufacturer Stadler has emerged as one of the most dynamic players in the global rolling stock market in recent years. The company continues to strengthen its position in the tram segment, boasting the broadest presence across Europe. Notably, Stadler is currently delivering one of the world’s largest tram contracts, supplying 246 Citylink tram-trains for Germany and Austria. This highly innovative procurement saw operators from several cities form the VDV consortium, consolidating their requirements and adopting unified rolling stock standards, thereby achieving significant savings in both acquisition and maintenance.
The three-car Citylink tram-train for Saarbahn. Source: Stadler
The first Citylink tram-train produced for the VDV consortium represented Stadler’s headline premiere in 2024. Built for Saarbahn, the dual-system unit (750 V DC and 15 kV AC) is designed for German operations, accommodating up to 233 passengers and capable of reaching 100km/h.
Stadler’s tram portfolio also includes the Tramlink, Tina, Tango, and Variobahn platforms. In recent years, the company has made notable advances into new tram markets.
In 2024, Stadler rolling stock entered service in Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time, with low-floor, three-car Tango NF3 trams carrying up to 180 passengers now operating in Sarajevo. By year-end, a fleet of 25 such vehicles is expected to be in service.
Stadler has also expanded its footprint in the United States, securing its first American contract to supply up to 80 low-floor Citylink tram-trains to Salt Lake City. The new vehicles will offer 14% greater passenger capacity than the Siemens SD-100 and SD-160 units delivered between 1998 and 2003.
Trams by Škoda Group
Czech-based Škoda Group is also actively expanding its tram backlog. The company began tram production in 1997, taking up the mantle from the legendary ČKD Tatra. During the 20th century, the latter was the world’s largest tram supplier thanks to substantial orders from the USSR and other CMEA countries. Škoda Group’s position was further bolstered in 2015 with the acquisition of Finnish manufacturer Transtech and its low-floor Artic platform, featuring bogies capable of negotiating even the most challenging track profiles.
For Škoda Group, 2025 has been defined by developments in the German market. Bonn saw the launch of the first of 28 ForCity Smart 41T trams. This three-car, bi-directional vehicle accommodates 180 passengers and features carbon dioxide air-conditioning.
A major technological milestone was the unveiling of the world’s longest tram. The six-section ForCity, measuring 58.7 metres, was delivered to RNV in the Rhine-Neckar region of Germany. The 2018 contract calls for 12 such vehicles, each capable of carrying 366 passengers. The previous record was held by CAF’s Urbos tram for Budapest at 55.9 metres.
Presentation of the ForCity Smart 38T tram at the Plzen plant. Source: Škoda Group
Škoda Group has also continued to pioneer new technologies, demonstrating its driverless tram system for the first time. The Smart Artic X34 tram in Tampere, Finland, equipped with automated driving and obstacle detection, successfully completed a range of fully automated operational scenarios.
Trams by UKCP
Ust-Katav Car-Building Plant (UKCP) in Russia is one of the historic giants in global tram manufacturing. Over its long existence, it has produced more than 28,000 vehicles, which are operated in most Russian cities as well as in several CIS countries.
The three-car Kastor under trial run in Ekaterinburg. Source: Ivan Revenkov/transphoto
In 2024 the company unveiled a significant new model, the three-car low-floor type 71-639, the Castor tram. Among its key advantages are the shortest length in its class in Russia of 25.8 m and the ability to negotiate curves of just 14 m radius. Options include dual-cab configuration and extended autonomous operation of up to 30 km. The tram has a nominal capacity of 187 passengers, with 64 seats and one dedicated wheelchair space. Traction is provided by six asynchronous motors rated at 62 kW each, giving a maximum speed of 90 km/h.
In December 2024 UKCP secured its first order for a Castor tram, to be delivered to Ekaterinburg. The platform has already been developed further in the form of the bidirectional type 71-638-02 Polaris, ordered by St Petersburg, and a five-car type 71-665 model featuring four bogies.
Trams by Pesa
Pesa remains one of the leading players in the Polish rail sector and is increasingly focused on building its export portfolio. The company has evolved from a modest repair workshop into a major European manufacturer employing 4,000. In recent decades, Pesa has prioritised tram development, delivering over 800 units to cities across Poland and Europe. Its current range includes four low-floor platforms: Swing, Jazz, Twist, and Fokstrot.
The past year marked Pesa’s entry into the Estonian tram market, with the first three-car Twist 147N tram — 28.6 m in length and accommodating 309 passengers — now in service in Tallinn. According to the manufacturer, the model also offers underfloor heating for adverse weather conditions. A total of 23 units are scheduled for delivery.
The Twist 147N in Tallinn. Source: Tuisubus/transphoto
Another three-car Twist tram has entered service in Wrocław, Poland, benefitting from supercapacitors that store energy during recuperation for use on de-energised sections of the network. Pesa is set to supply 24 such trams to the city.
Among Pesa’s recent highlights is the launch of a new tram platform, due for presentation in 2027. The new design will feature enhanced anti-corrosion properties, improved sound insulation, and a maximum speed of 80km/h. Energy efficiency will be further increased through the use of silicon carbide inverters. Kraków will be among the first operators of this new generation, following Pesa’s success in a major tender for 90 trams of various configurations in spring 2025.
Trams by other manufacturers
Chinese giant CRRC, the world’s largest rolling stock manufacturer, has a limited presence in the tram sector, reflecting its strategic focus on metro trains as urban rail development in China prioritises metro expansion. CRRC has also developed rubber-tyred ART vehicles, which resemble trams but operate on dedicated, marked roadways.
A battery-powered tram-train from CRRC on the Volcán–Tilcara line in Argentina. Source: La Linda del Norte
In 2024, CRRC launched battery-powered tram-trains with panoramic windows in Argentina. Two two-car sets now transport tourists along the narrow-gauge Volcán–Tilcara route. The vehicles are equipped with roof-mounted lithium-iron-phosphate batteries offering a range of 120 km. Full charging of the batteries takes just 25 minutes and is performed at two stations. The interior provides seating for 72 passengers.
The H2 hydrogen tram from Hyundai Rotem at InnoTrans 2024. Source: transport-publiczny
A major highlight of 2024 was the debut of Hyundai Rotem’s first hydrogen fuel cell tram. A fleet of 34 such vehicles is scheduled to enter service in Daejeon, South Korea, by late 2028. Each tram will be fitted with four 90 kW hydrogen fuel cell modules, providing a range of over 150 km, with refuelling taking around 15 minutes. Hydrogen tanks are roof-mounted.
It is noteworthy that 2024 also saw the suspension of the world’s first hydrogen tram line in China. The 27T trams for this line were produced by CRRC in partnership with Škoda Group. Officially, the line is undergoing major repairs, despite having been launched only five years ago for demonstration purposes. The route was characterised by low passenger numbers—around 410 daily—and its closure coincided with the typical end-of-life for fuel cells.
German manufacturer Siemens Mobility had a relatively quiet year in terms of new product launches, but did introduce a fleet of 20 three-car S700 trams with variable floor heights in Sacramento, USA. The model, already established in the American market, accommodates 225 passengers and features low-floor boarding throughout.
The S700 tram during trial in Sacramento. Source: Bailey Stover/The Sacramento Bee
Romanian manufacturer Astra unveiled a new version of its Imperio tram, with improvements to both exterior and interior design, structural enhancements, and an upgraded traction system. Bogies and motors are supplied by Siemens Mobility. The tram can be configured with two to six cars and is available for both 1,000 mm and 1,435 mm gauge lines.
Turkish manufacturers are also expanding their presence in the EU via Romania. At the end of 2024, Durmazlar trams entered service in Reșița, with 13 two-car Panorama vehicles delivered. These bi-directional trams accommodate 135 passengers. The Reșița contract is Durmazlar’s second in the EU, following deliveries to Olsztyn, Poland.
A Bozankaya tram in Timișoara. Source: KG1990/transphoto
Meanwhile, Bozankaya completed delivery of 40 five-car low-floor trams to Timișoara, Romania, in December 2024. Each 29.9-m tram accommodates 251 passengers and is equipped with battery packs, offering an autonomous range of 63–70km, a world record for trams, according to the manufacturer.
The Modertrans Moderus Gamma LF 10 AC BD in Woltersdorf. Source: Modertrans
Among smaller players, Polish company Modertrans made its debut on the German tram market in 2024, supplying single-car bi-directional Moderus Gamma LF 10 AC BD trams to Woltersdorf. The contract covers four low-floor trams, each with a capacity of 76 passengers, replacing the Gotha T57 fleet built over 60 years ago. Discussions are currently underway regarding the potential acquisition of Modertrans by Spanish manufacturer CAF, which amassed a significant backlog in 2022–2023, though last year passed without major new product launches.
