Berlin's massive 50m Urbanliner tram arrives—but when will it run?

Berlin’s public transport operator, BVG, is preparing to launch its new 50-metre Urbanliner tram this summer. The vehicle, designed to ease pressure on the busy M4 line, will carry up to 312 passengers at a time. However, the exact start date remains unclear as final adjustments continue. BVG has taken delivery of five Urbanliner trams from manufacturer Alstom, with 15 more expected by the end of the year. The full fleet of 30 trams should be operational by 2028. Once complete, these vehicles could handle all services on the M4 route.

The introduction of the Urbanliner follows a miscalculation in planning. BVG CEO Henrik Falk admitted the company had not fully coordinated with regulators on load-bearing requirements. Authorities had assumed a maximum crowding level of 6.7 people per square metre for structural checks on the M4 line.

Before the trams can run, minor construction work is needed to reinforce the route’s infrastructure. The estimated cost for these adjustments stands at around €150,000. Despite the delays, the Urbanliner is set to bring much-needed extra capacity to one of Berlin’s most congested tram lines. The Urbanliner will offer 92 seats and space for 312 passengers in total. Its arrival aims to reduce overcrowding on the M4, though BVG has yet to confirm a precise launch date. Once fully deployed, the new fleet should improve service reliability for thousands of daily commuters.