By Phillippa Dean, Editor – Railways Africa Magazine
Thanks to Alstom, one of the global leaders in smart and sustainable mobility and a significant player in the South African and African rail sectors, I had the incredible opportunity to join their press tour for InnoTrans 2024. This biennial event, which showcases the latest advancements in the railway and public transport sectors, is truly unmissable.
However, one aspect of Berlin aside from the show, that always captivates me is its trams. According to the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) website, Berlin’s tram network is the third largest in the world, with over 300 km of track and 800 stops. It was fantastic to hear from BVG CEO Henrik Falk that, despite the tough economic climate, the tram network is set to undergo extensive expansion.
Whenever I write about trams, which is not often enough, I find myself questioning why cities would choose a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system over a light rail solution. Establishing a tram, or rather a light rail system, tends to be less disruptive to transport users during construction and, in my opinion, is quicker to deliver. Over the long term, it is likely more cost-effective and less expensive to operate on a day-to-day basis. Trams also require a smaller footprint compared to BRT systems.
These mass transport systems outperform BRT in terms of capacity and, let’s be honest, are far more aesthetically pleasing. While I understand that academics may weigh a detailed list of pros and cons between the two, I am merely stating my personal bias towards steel wheels.
However, I do understand that BRTs have a role to play, and as Fatima Lasiri, Advisor at ONCF Morocco, pointed out at the recently held African Development Bank’s Transport Forum (#ATF2024), transporting people requires a distinct strategy depending on whether it’s urban or intercity travel. Each approach depends on the distance and the flow of people. As highlighted at the same event, the general consensus is that African countries need to invest in rail transport. Incidentally, Morocco’s trams are also supplied by Alstom.
From an aesthetic perspective… During the Alstom handover of the longest tram to Berlin’s transport authority, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), at InnoTrans this year, Henri Poupart-Lafarge emphasised how trams become a signature of the city—and he is absolutely right. Just look at the tram in Dubai or any other city worldwide; trams are styled to reflect the city, and they often become beautiful, iconic symbols. I believe the AlUla tram project in Saudi Arabia will achieve the same iconic status. But trams do more than just beautify the city—they streamline the movement of people and offer an efficient mass transportation option over short distances.
The new Flexity tram for Berlin, called the Urbanliner by BVG, is the longest tram delivered to the city, stretching 50.9 metres and capable of carrying 312 passengers per trip.
Its innovative design includes cameras that allow drivers to monitor areas they cannot see with standard mirrors, ensuring pedestrian and traffic safety. To enhance safety, the tram is equipped with what Alstom describes as the world’s first homologated Obstacle Detection Assistance System (ODAS), which automatically detects obstacles and either warns the driver or applies the brakes to prevent collisions.
This bi-directional tram is part of an order placed with Bombardier Transportation in December 2020, now Alstom, and meets the German capital’s growing capacity requirements. It is eco-designed, with reduced energy consumption and noise levels inside and out, offering exceptional comfort and accessibility for passengers, largely due to its bogie architecture, which has allowed for fully flat floors, low-floor entrances, and a wider aisle width, resulting in complete accessibility. From a passenger experience perspective, it is spacious and light inside, offering plenty of space for prams, bikes, and wheelchairs!
For the driver, aside from the safety features already mentioned, the Flexity trams for Berlin are the first worldwide to focus on individual driver ergonomics with a customisable, automatically adjustable seat.
Two trams have already been delivered and are currently being tested by the tram operator BVG, with delivery of the full 17 new trams expected by 2026. In addition, Alstom will supply spare parts for up to 32 years. Deliveries under the framework agreement started in 2024, and there is an option for a further 117 trams.
The Flexity tram is a prime example of a modern, sustainable urban transport solution. According to Henri Poupart-Lafarge, Alstom has delivered over 8,000 trams in 140 cities worldwide. It would be fantastic to see more African cities added to that list!
But speaking of Africa, going back to the scene set by Victoria Flattau, Urban Development Specialist at the African Development Bank, during the recent African Development Bank’s Transport Forum 2024, she noted that in the past 10 years, some of the larger cities on the continent have invested in mass transit. In African cities, public transport is mostly dominated by informal services such as minibuses and taxis. However, there is a shift in the large metropolises, especially in advancing public transportation and mass transit systems.
While BRTs have been one solution to increase transport efficiency and urban economic productivity, road infrastructure alone will not meet the transport needs of emerging city clusters. African countries need to invest in rail transport to connect their cities, and this is where metros and light rail—specifically trams—play a significant role. The difference this would make in improving mobility in my city would be phenomenal.
