- Money from the country for new trams
Thuringia assists cities in improving their tram services with financial injections. Around ten million euros are to flow to Gotha for this purpose, as announced by the Ministry of Transport in Erfurt. The money is to be used to improve the fleet of Thuringian Forest Railway and Gotha Tram GmbH.
Four modern trams for Gotha
The company plans to acquire a total of four new low-floor articulated trams in the years 2025 and 2026. The current fleet is outdated, with an average age of forty years. The total costs are estimated at about 20 million euros, with the state contributing about half, according to the ministry.
"An attractive public transport offer can significantly relieve our cities of individual traffic and increase the quality of life. That's why we support Thuringian municipalities and transport companies in expanding climate-friendly local transport," said Transport Minister Susanna Karawanskij (Left) in Erfurt. The EU, federal government, and state have provided around 160 million euros for this purpose in the legislative period ending in September.
According to the ministry, a total of 38 new trams have been acquired in Thuringia from 2018 to 2024, 14 in Erfurt and 24 in Jena.
240 kilometers of tram network
By 2027, another 25 vehicles are to be acquired, mainly for Erfurt and Jena, but also for Gera, using EU funds. The total costs are expected to be around 108 million euros. The state is supporting the transport companies with 37 million euros from the EU and 16 million euros from an OPTV investment program.
Progress has also been made in the expansion, renewal, and maintenance of tram tracks. A total of 40 million euros have been invested in the basic renewal of tracks in Nordhausen, Erfurt, Jena, and Gera between 2019 and 2023.
The total length of the tram network in Thuringia is over 240 kilometers. According to the state office for construction and transport in Erfurt, there are around 100 kilometers in Gotha, about 50 kilometers in Jena, and 45 kilometers in Gera. In Gotha, there are over 36 kilometers of urban tracks, as well as the unique Thuringian Forest Railway, an interurban tram to Bad Tabarz. The smallest network is in Nordhausen, with 14.5 kilometers.
Gera will greatly benefit from the new trams, as it's one of the cities expected to receive additional vehicles by 2027. The state is planning to invest 16 million euros from an OPTV investment program to support the acquisition of these trams in Gera.
In the near future, Gera's tram services will likely see an improvement, given the focus on acquiring new trams and investing in the maintenance of tram tracks in various Thuringian cities, including Gera.
