Definition
The Frankfurt (Oder) tramway (German: Straßenbahn Frankfurt (Oder)) is a network of electric tram lines that forms part of the public‑transport system of Frankfurt (Oder), a town in the state of Brandenburg, Germany, situated on the Oder River at the German‑Polish border.
Overview
The system opened on 22 January 1898 and is currently operated by the municipal company Stadtverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Frankfurt (Oder) (SV F). It is integrated into the Verkehrsverbund Berlin‑Brandenburg (VBB) fare network. As of 2022 the network comprises five regular lines covering a route length of about 43 km (27 mi) and serving 46 stops. Daily service runs from approximately 04:00 to 23:30, with a 20‑minute headway on weekdays and a 30‑minute headway on Sundays and public holidays.
Etymology / Origin
The term “Trams in Frankfurt (Oder)” derives directly from the German description Straßenbahn Frankfurt (Oder), where Straßenbahn means “street railway” or “tram”. The parenthetical “(Oder)” distinguishes the city from the larger German city of Frankfurt am Main.
Characteristics
- Gauge: 1 000 mm (metre gauge)
- Electrification: 600 V DC supplied via overhead lines
- Operator: Stadtverkehrsgesellschaft mbH Frankfurt (Oder) (SV F)
- Lines: Five numbered lines (1–5) with distinct routes serving residential districts, the university campus, the railway station, industrial areas, and the city centre.
- Service pattern:
- Lines 1, 2, 4 run at 20‑minute intervals on weekdays (06:00–19:00) and Saturdays (09:00–16:00).
- Sundays and public holidays operate at 30‑minute intervals from 06:00.
- Rolling stock:
- KT4DM: Modernised Tatra KT4D units (originally delivered 1987–1990); 16 remained in service as of 2021.
- GT6M: Eight low‑floor trams introduced in 1993 (fleet numbers 301‑308).
- ForCity Plus 46T: New Škoda low‑floor trams ordered jointly with Cottbus and Brandenburg an der Havel; the first unit entered service in April 2024, with a total order of 13 vehicles for Frankfurt (Oder). These three‑section, 70 % low‑floor trams are 28.96 m long, 2.3 m wide, and can carry up to 151 passengers (including 51 seats).
Related Topics
- Public transport in Frankfurt (Oder)
- Trams in Germany (overview of town tramway systems)
- Verkehrsverbund Berlin‑Brandenburg (regional transport association)
- Škoda Transportation tram models (ForCity Plus series)
- Historical development of metre‑gauge tramways in Eastern Germany
All information is drawn from publicly available sources, principally the English‑language Wikipedia entry “Trams in Frankfurt (Oder)”.