The Jena light railway
The tramway - the backbone of local transport in Jena
Why new tramways? In a city like Jena, whose character is shaped by special geographical features such as its valley location, river and surrounding hills, streetcars play a central role in the public transport system. With an average of 34,000 passengers a day, they form the indispensable backbone of local transportation. They improve the city's mobility, relieve traffic congestion, reduce environmental pollution and improve people's quality of life. Against this background and in connection with the continuous increase in passenger numbers, streetcars in particular have an even greater role to play than before, as they are used by two thirds of all passengers. New streetcars help us to achieve our major goal of continuing to offer attractive and efficient local transportation in Jena. They are an important building block on the road to a traffic turnaround in our city on the Saale.
The motto of the new streetcar project of Jena's local transport system is "We connect generations".
Greater, more comfortable, more energy-efficient and, above all, completely barrier-free - these are the hallmarks of the new streetcars for a sustainable future of mobility in Jena.
Named after Jena, the city of light, the TRAMLINK light rail vehicle from the manufacturer Stadler is set to replace 33 GT6M vehicles in the future. The first twelve "light rail vehicles" reached the Jena depot in 2023. The next twelve will follow in 2024. After the usual commissioning and approval procedures, the "light rail vehicles" will gradually go into regular service.
The delivery order for the "light rail vehicles" comprises two different vehicle lengths:
- 16 vehicles are designed in seven sections with a vehicle length of 42 meters. There are four spaces for wheelchair users in the three multifunctional areas. Baby carriages and bicycles are also provided with parking spaces.
- 8 vehicles are designed as five-part tramways with a vehicle length of 32 meters. The shorter version has two multifunctional areas with four wheelchair spaces.
The low-floor vehicles are equipped with five or six doors on each side. The modern customer information system is visible from every seat. The tailor-made design improves accessibility for people with reduced mobility and guarantees safety and comfort for passengers and drivers alike.
December 16, 2023 - maiden voyage of the first light railway
The first vehicle of the next generation of Jena's light rail system, the Lichtbahn, with the number range 800, took off on its maiden voyage. This marked a new milestone in the modernization and investment strategy for strong, comfortable, sustainable and barrier-free local transport.
Vehicle data: Light runway 42 meters/32 meters length
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Download data sheet
- file_download Datenblatt TRAMLINK Niederflur-Straßenbahn
September 15, 2021 - The presentation
On September 15, 2021, we presented the customized design of our light track to the public.
This forms the interface between our perception and the vehicle's technology.
We connect generations.
emoji_flagsMilestones
- July 2020: Receipt of grant notification for the new procurement of 12 low-floor tram vehicles - funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014 - 2020 and from the state budget of the Free State of Thuringia
- August 2020: Receipt of grant notification for the new procurement of a further 12 low-floor tram vehicles - funding from the state budget of the Free State of Thuringia
- September 2021: Design presentation of the light rail
- November 2021: Start of track infrastructure construction
- December 2021: Start of conversion work at the depot
- December 2021: Start of light rail shell construction in Valencia
- August 2022: Topping-out ceremony for extended streetcar workshop
- May 2023: Delivery of the first light track (10 units in total in 2023)
- May 2023: Inauguration of the converted streetcar workshop
- August 2023: End of conversion work at the depot
- Friday/summer 2023: Start of test/trial operation
- December 16, 2023: Maiden voyage of the first light railroad with vehicle number 801
- December 2023: Start of regular operation on line 5 (Holzmarkt - Burgauparkt - Lobeda-Ost)
- December 23: Receipt of grant notification for the procurement of 12 new low-floor tram vehicles - funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021 - 2027 and from the state budget of the Free State of Thuringia
- September 2024: Start of regular operation on the Line 1 (Zwätzen - city center - Göschwitz - Lobeda-West (- Lobeda-Ost)) and Line 4 (Zwätzen - city center - Lobeda - Lobeda-West)
image gallery
You want to find out more about the interior design of the light track?
Then it's worth visiting our blog, here you will find an article with 5 facts about the design of the vehicle interior
Frequently asked questions
The Jena route network and the depot with its workshops have clearly defined capacities. This is why the older models are gradually taken out of service when the new trams are procured.
The first trams are scheduled to arrive in Jena in the first quarter of 2023 and go into operation around the middle of the year. After that, further deliveries will follow.
Due to the procurement of longer and wider vehicles, there are also new requirements for the depot. For example, the tram workshop will be extended to be able to carry out vehicle maintenance, repair, and cleaning on the longer and wider trams. Roof work stands and work pits will have to be adapted, too.
Komplett barrierefrei, mit 100 % Niederflur
Extra breite Wagen für eine komplette Ausnutzung des Lichtraumprofils
Sitze aus Holz mit gewölbter Form für breitere Durchgänge
Einhaltung der neuen Normen für Passantenschutz und Sichtbarkeit
Arrival of the light railroad in Jena
On the night of 5 May 2023, the first light railroad arrived from Valencia, Spain, at the Jena local transport depot in Jena-Burgau.
JenaTV accompanied this arrival and summarized the whole thing in a report.
Current news on the Lichtbahn project
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Jenaer Nahverkehr, 2024/05/22
Exclusive light rail ride
Stakeholders from the Seniors' and Disabled Persons' Advisory Councils and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired test accessibility
read more -
Jenaer Nahverkehr, 2024/01/11
Jena's local transport on the way to a barrier-free streetcar network
Jena's local transport system has reason to celebrate: The Thuringian Ministry of Infrastructure and Agriculture has promised to provide financial support for the procurement of a further nine streetcars. The funding comes from the European...
read more
