DESCRIPTION
Geneva first tram opened in 1862 (initial horse tram); its electrification was completed in 1899. The tram network had a remarkable expansion: in 1925 the tram system (together with the local railways network) was more than 125 km long. In the next decades it was almost completly dismantled: in 1969 there was only a a single tram line (9 km) still operating.
Due to its geographical crucial position (close to France and served by important airport and railway station) Geneva reached in the years an high percentage of cars per inhabitant (close to 50%); consequently, the road congestion creased. This was one of the main reasons for a new implementation of the tram network, which started from mid of years '90s.
The original tram network was implemented and re-launched starting from 1995; that year the only existing tram line was extended north to Cornavin railway station (1.6 km), while in 1996-1997 it was extended south to Palettes (1 km).
A northern section was opened in 2003 from Cornavin to Place de Nations; a new southern section (Lancy Pont Rouge-Acacias-Plainpalais) was opened at the end of 2004; it was completed by Lancy Pont Rouge-Palettes segment (2006), which closes into a ring the southern part of the network.
The first section of a north-western branch (Cornavin-Avanchets) opened in 2007; it was extended in 2009 (Avanchet-Meyrin Graviere) and 2011 (Jardin Alpin-CERN).
A south-western section (Cornavin-Onex-Bernex) opened in 2011, connecting the city centre to Lancy, Onex and Bernex (where is located an important interchange parking area).