Line 18: From 5 September, tram line 18 will run to Stadion U2 station

A strong east-west connection with many interchange options

The extended line 18 will start operating in time for the beginning of the school year. From 5 September, trams will run along the new 3.1-kilometre section through the Prater to Stadion U2 station. Over the past few weeks, the new route has been thoroughly tested. This included the stops, switches and overhead power lines. In future, line 18 will connect Vienna Central Station directly with Stadion U2 station in around 25 minutes.

A new public transport route for six million passengers a year

In future, line 18 will run from Burggasse-Stadthalle U6 station via Westbahnhof, Vienna Central Station, St. Marx and Schlachthausgasse U3 station. From there, it will continue through the Prater to Stadion U2 station. Seven new stops are being built along the new section between Schlachthausgasse and Stadion. The route will provide better public transport connections to developing areas such as Viertel Zwei and Village im Dritten, as well as the Prater and the future long-distance bus terminal. It will also offer connections to almost all of Vienna’s underground lines.
 

More public transport, more green space and less traffic in the Prater

The extension of the tram line will also bring changes to traffic in the Prater. The road connection along Stadionallee and Meiereistraße between Lusthausstraße and Stadionbad will be closed to general motor traffic every day of the week. Access to residential areas, sports facilities and car parks will remain possible. Emergency vehicles will also continue to have access. This will allow line 18 to travel quickly and reliably through the Prater. At the same time, there will be less car traffic, greater safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and more space for trees and green areas. The extension of line 18 is therefore much more than a tram project. It combines the expansion of public transport with climate-friendly improvements to public space.

70 metres of green track and 2,150 metres of new cycle paths

Wherever possible, the expansion of public transport is combined with new cycling infrastructure and more greenery. Along the new route, the project includes a 70-metre section of green tram track near the Ernst Happel Stadium, more than 10,300 m² of green space, around 200 new trees and 14 small public green spaces. These measures will help improve the local urban climate. The project also includes 2,150 metres of new cycle paths along the new route. These include a physically separated two-way cycle path along Meiereistraße, as well as new cycling connections via Stadionbrücke, Dr.-Natterer-Gasse and Würtzlerstraße. Together with reduced traffic in the Prater, these measures will support climate-friendly mobility in Vienna. By encouraging people to switch from cars to public transport, the project could also save up to 1,300 tonnes of CO₂ per year.

Line 18 will also improve cycling connections in Vienna’s 3rd district. Between Markhofgasse and Erdbergstraße, a new two-way cycle path will create a continuous cycling connection from the Gürtel across the Danube Canal to the Prater. From there, the route continues via Meiereistraße and Dr.-Natterer-Gasse to the Danube. New cycle paths along Rennweg and Viehmarktgasse will also provide better connections to places including the Vienna BioCenter and Media Quarter St. Marx.

An important alternative during the closure of the ÖBB S-Bahn main line

Another benefit of the extended line 18 is that it will provide an alternative route through eastern Vienna during the closure of the S-Bahn main line. Passengers travelling from Vienna Central Station or St. Marx can use line 18 via Schlachthausgasse U3 station and continue directly to Stadion U2 station. At the same time, eastern Vienna will have better connections to the S7 at St. Marx. The new cross-city public transport connection will therefore help reduce pressure on other routes and distribute passengers more evenly across the public transport network.