On April 28, 2025, Liège officially returned the tram to its streets after a break of almost sixty years. This event became a real celebration for the city’s residents and an important milestone in the development of public transport in Belgium.
The last time a tram ran in Liege was in 1967. At that time, the city authorities decided to rely on buses and cars, considering them more modern forms of transport. However, with the population growing, the number of traffic jams increasing and the environmental situation worsening, it became obvious that the city needed a more sustainable means of transportation.
The new tram line, 11.7 kilometres long, connects the Sclessin and Coronmeuse districts. The route passes through the most important points in Liège:
- Liège -Guillemins railway station;
- Place Saint – Lambert;
- city centre and main residential areas;
- transfer hubs with bus routes.
The line has 23 modern stops and the average speed is about 19-20 km/h. The tram route is expected to carry up to 40,000 passengers per day.
The project was implemented as a public-private partnership. The Tram’Ardent consortium is responsible for the infrastructure and maintenance, and the state-owned TEC is responsible for transportation. The final cost of the project exceeded 1 billion euros.
The opening was originally planned for January 2025, but due to difficulties with safety certification, the launch was postponed to the end of April. During the first weeks of operation on the route, additional testing will be organized to eliminate possible problems.
The tram in Liège is not only a way to improve the transport situation, but also a step towards a sustainable future for the city. The new line is expected to reduce air pollution, reduce traffic jams and improve comfort for residents and tourists.
Key features of the new tram in Liege:
- Environmentally friendly: minimal CO₂ emissions;
- Modern rolling stock: comfortable carriages with air conditioning and access for people with disabilities;
- Frequency: trams run every 5–7 minutes during rush hours;
- Integration with other modes of transport: convenient transfers to buses and trains;
- Safety: the latest motion control systems.
The project is expected to serve as an example for other Belgian cities considering bringing back or expanding their tram networks.