| Basel tramway network | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 A BLT tram in Basel | |||
 | |||
| Operation | |||
| Locale | Basel,Switzerland | ||
| Open | 6 May 1895 (1895-05-06) | ||
| Status | Operational | ||
| Lines | 12 | ||
| Operators |
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| Infrastructure | |||
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)metre gauge | ||
| Electrification | 650 V DC[1] | ||
| Statistics | |||
| Route length | 128.5 km (79.8 mi) | ||
| |||
| Website | http://www.bvb.ch Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe(in German) | ||
TheBasel tramway network (German:Basler Strassenbahn-Netz) is anetwork oftramways forming part of thepublic transport system inBasel,Switzerland, and itsagglomeration - it also reaches into adjacent suburbs in Germany and France. The only two other tramway networks to cross an international border areGeneva's andStrasbourg's tramways. The Basel tram system consists of 12 lines. Due to its longevity (the network is now more than a century old), it is part of Basel's heritage and, alongside theBasel Minster, is one of the symbols of the city.
The trams on the network are operated by two transport providers:Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe (Basel Transport Service) (BVB) andBaselland Transport (BLT). Both operators are part of the integrated fare networkTarifverbund Nordwestschweiz (TNW), which in itself is part of the three countries-integrated fare networktriregio.[2][3][4]
BVB is owned by theCanton of Basel-Stadt. Its green trams operate mostly in the city, although termini of its lines 3, 6, 8 and 14 are across the cantonal or country border.
BLT is owned by theCanton of Basel-Land and has yellow and red livery. It owns the tram infrastructure in Basel-Land and runs the lines 10, 11 and 17 who are passing through Basel on BVB-tracks. At the same time, BVB line 14 runs partially on BLT-tracks. BLT line 10 at one point passes through the territory of France.[5]
The first line of the Basel tramway network was opened on 6 May 1895. It followed the routeCentralbahnhof–Marktplatz–Mittlere Brücke–Aeschenplatz–Badischer Bahnhof.
The network grew quickly. In 1897, six new sections were put in service, with one linking Basel andBirsfelden.
In 1900, the Basel tramway network acquired an international dimension, when a new cross-border line was opened to Sankt-Ludwig (nowSaint-Louis, Haut-Rhin), in the thenGerman Empire. The line operated until 1950. In 1910, a second international line was opened to Hüningen (nowHuningue, also inHaut-Rhin), which was used until 1961. The line toLörrach inBaden,Germany, was opened in 1919 and worked until 1967.
Since 1887, the tram from Basel toRodersdorf, now part ofBaselland Transport line n° 10, passed (and passes) through the village ofLeymen inAlsace. But thatBirsigthalbahn (Birsig Valley Railway) would be joined to the general tram network of Basel as late as in 1984.
From 1900 until 1936, at least one section of the network was modified each year. In 1934, upon the opening of a new section of line from Margarethenstr. to Binningen, the network reached its greatest length of 72 km (45 mi).
During the two World Wars, services were suspended on the parts of the line extending beyond Switzerland's borders. AfterWorld War II, several lines were closed. In 1958, the total length of the network's routes was 51.7 km (32.1 mi).
In 1974, the several companies that had been operating the suburban lines were merged to form the new company bearing the nameBaselland Transport AG (BLT).
As of 2022,[update] the Basel tram network comprises 12 lines. Nine are operated by BVB and three by BLT. The combinedline length of the 12 lines is 128.5 kilometres (79.8 mi).[6][7][a][b]
| No. | Route | Route length | Operator | Route map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dreirosenbrücke – Brausebad - Bahnhof SBB (– Badischer Bahnhof) | 7.31 kilometres (4.54 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 2 | Binningen Kronenplatz – Badischer Bahnhof - Eglisee (– Riehen Fondation Beyeler) | 9.26 kilometres (5.75 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 3 | Saint-Louis (France) Burgfelderhof – Breite - Birsfelden Hard | 9.58 kilometres (5.95 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 6 | Allschwil - Morgartenring – Badischer Bahnhof -Riehen Grenze | 12.58 kilometres (7.82 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 8 | Neuweilerstrasse – Kleinhüningen -Weil am Rhein (Germany) | 10.23 kilometres (6.36 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 10 | Rodersdorf - Flüh - Ettingen – Bahnhof SBB - Münchenstein-Dornach | 25.974 kilometres (16.139 mi) | BLT | .png) |
| 11 | St. Louis Grenze – Bahnhof SBB - Reinach Dorf - Aesch | 14.235 kilometres (8.845 mi) | BLT | .png) |
| 14 | Dreirosenbrücke - Aeschenplatz – Basel St. Jakob - Muttenz Dorf - Pratteln | 12.81 kilometres (7.96 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 15 | Messeplatz – Bruderholz | 5.39 kilometres (3.35 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 16 | Bruderholz – Schifflände | 5.48 kilometres (3.41 mi) | BVB | .png) |
| 17 | Wiesenplatz – Ettingen | 12.215 kilometres (7.590 mi) | BLT | .png) |
| 21 | Bahnhof St. Johann – Badischer Bahnhof | 3.50 kilometres (2.17 mi) | BVB | .png) |
The Basel tram network is unusual in crossing international borders.
Line 10 to Rodersdorf runs viaLeymen in France. For customs purposes the trams operate through France asprivileged transit traffic. Passengers remaining on the tram are not subject to customs rules. Passengers may get on or off the tram in Leymen only if they are carrying goods within the customs limits.
In 2014, line 8 was extended across the border toWeil am Rhein station, in Germany.
Construction started in 2015 to extend Line 3 from its then-terminus at Bourgfelden Grenze toSaint-Louis station in France.[8] The extension opened in 2017.[9] Late-night services on the cross-border line were suspended in 2019 due to a series of attacks in whichlaser pointers were used to obstruct the vision of tram operators.[10]
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47°33′17″N7°35′21″E / 47.55472°N 7.58917°E /47.55472; 7.58917
