DESCRIPTION
Zurich tram opened in 1882 (initial horse tram) and it was electrified in 1894. The tram network included many urban and suburban routes, each one with its single operator; in 1930 all the urban routes were acquired by a single operator (StStZ), which routinely closed any out-of-city lines belonging to the companies it took over (while, in other cases, private sector operated lines succumbed without StStZ involvement).
During years '50s some tram routes were replaced by trolleybus lines (1954-1956: Burgwies-Hardplatz; 1956-1958: Farbhof-Schlieren).
In years 1970s Zurich planned the construction of a full U-Bahn system, which was finally rejected in a referendum (1973), but not before several stretches of U-Bahn tunnel had been built: one of these sections (Milchbuck-Schorlistrasse) is now utilized for tram service. The existing tram network was extended in 1976 (Hardturm-Werdholzli, first extension since 1954), 1986 (Lines 7 and 9 extended into north-eastern new residential areas, through the above mentioned underground section) and 2017 (Line 8 Hardplatz-Schiffbau section).
Starting from year 2000 the tram system got a further relaunch, in order to offer an efficient public transit system to the Glattal region (north of Zurich) inhabitants (about 150'000 residents and 120'000 employees); one of the targets was the reduction of roads congestion, cutting down the number of cars passing every day through the city centre. A modern tram line (Glattalbahn, which is current articulated in tram routes 10, 11, 12) opened in 2006 (Oerlikon-Glattpark-Auzelg); it was extended in 2008 (Glattpark-Airport), and 2010 (Auzelg-Stettbach). Glattalbahn track connects Rehalp (south-east) and Stettbach (east) with Oerlikon, Glattbrugg and the airport (in the northern part of Zurich), interchanging with the railway system (Swiss Federal Railway S-Bahn/SBB) and with other tram and bus lines. The track is mostly ground level, with many sections in reserved lanes and with some viaduct segments in order to maintain the system segregated from road traffic.
The current tram network consists in 17 lines.