Berlin Tram Network: First "Urbanliner" Enters Regular Service on Line M4

The opening date originally planned for February was canceled at short notice because a planned launch event with Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) could not take place. The vehicle had already begun test operations at the BVG in the summer of 2024, with passenger service announced at that time for the first quarter of 2025. In fact, line service has only now begun in mid-July 2026.

The BVG cites discussions with the approval authority over the weight of the vehicles as the main reason for the delay. In addition, two additional supports had to be installed in the subway tunnel near Alexanderplatz. These preparations were necessary before the vehicle could be officially approved.

What is the Urbanliner?

The Urbanliner is a new generation of vehicle that, according to the BVG, reaches a length of around 50 meters. Each vehicle is designed to accommodate 303 passengers. The previous figure of 312 seated and standing places, which was cited by the BVG at times, referred only to the prototype, according to the company. The series-production version differs from this.

Background: What is the Urbanliner?

Approval Step by Step

A prerequisite for deployment is individual acceptance by the Technical Supervisory Authority – and this is required separately for each line. To date, this approval exists exclusively for line M4. Only after that may additional routes be served.

Approval Step by Step

Expansion by the End of the Year

According to the current status, 15 Urbanliners are to operate in the Berlin tram network by the end of the current year. The concept provides for the vehicles to be deployed in the future on additional tram lines as soon as the relevant route approvals are in place.

Expansion by the End of the Year

Outlook for the Fleet

BVG chief Henrik Falk sees the new vehicles as an important step for the renewal of the fleet. "With these new vehicles, we are making both the subway and the tram fleet fit for the coming decades," he said. After new subway trains had primarily been procured in recent years, the tram fleet is now following with a fundamental modernization.