DESCRIPTION
The first Mulheim electric tram line opened in 1897; this tram system is from its beginning fully integrated with the Oberhausen one, constituting an unique network, that currently consists in 4 lines. This network had a remarkable growth till years '30s (it was extended in 1910-1913, 1915, 1924, 1927).
Tram in Oberhausen was progressivly dismlantled after world war II, before being finally closed in 1974. Differently, trams in Mulheim were continuously maintained in service.
During years '70s, Mulheim transit system was completed and upgraded creating a premetro/stadtbahn corridor along Mulheim-Essen route (line U18, running partly underground inside Mulheim, with some ground level sections) and a tram tunnel (Aktienstrasse-Mulheim Hbf-Schloss Broich).
In 1996 tram was restored in Oberhausen; a modern line started its service from Hauptbahnhof to Sterkrade Bahnhof, passing through the city centre. This tram line prosecutes in southern direction up to Mulheim, over existng tram tracks. In 2004 it was extended inside Oberhausen (Sterkrade Bahnhof-Neumarkt). The current transit network in Oberhausen combines bus routes (that utilize standards and "oversize" bus cars, up to 24 m long with 130 passengers carried) with the restored tram route; these two systems share parts of their tracks (which are mostly on reserved lanes).