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On 13 October, the Luxembourg government unveiled the final route of the forthcoming tram extension that will link Cloche d’Or to Belvaux. This new rapid tram line will make it easier to travel between the capital and several towns in the south of the country.
A fast link between the country’s two main urban areas
This new fast tram line will be different from the one currently in service. It will operate as an express tram, with a higher maximum speed to cover longer distances more quickly. There should also be more seats.
Running from Cloche d’Or to Belvaux, the new express tram will connect Luxembourg’s two largest urban areas, the capital and the southern region. Towns such as Esch-sur-Alzette, Foetz and Belval will be better connected to Luxembourg City. The journey between Belvaux and Cloche d’Or is expected to take around 45 minutes.
This new section will help ease congestion on the roads, particularly during rush hour, while also providing easier access to several key destinations.
The addition of a stop at Pontpierre
Although not originally planned, the government has announced the inclusion of an extra stop at Pontpierre. This decision is linked to the recent opening of the GRIDX shopping centre, which has generated considerable interest and created numerous jobs.
The tram route will not need to be diverted to accommodate the Pontpierre stop, making its addition both straightforward and worthwhile. Some concerns were raised about whether this would affect total journey times, but Transport Minister Yuriko Backes has reassured the public that the additional stop will add less than one minute to the overall route.
Planned project timeline
The Tramsschapp maintenance centre will be built in Cloche d’Or by 2026 and is scheduled to become operational by 2030. The section linking Cloche d’Or and Foetz should be in service by 2031. The line is then expected to extend to Esch in 2032 and reach Belvaux by 2035. These deadlines were part of the original project plan and, according to the Minister for Transport, should remain achievable.
Yuriko Backes also stated that the total cost of the extension is currently difficult to estimate and will be specified later, once more detailed studies have been conducted.
Map of the upcoming tram © transports.lu
The impact of this extension
The expansion of the tram network will have a significant impact on Luxembourg. In terms of the labour market, this new connection will make certain areas more attractive, as they become more accessible by public transport. After all, not everyone wishes to commute by car. With a quick and convenient public transport link to areas that were previously less well served, many workers may be encouraged to move or work there. Some companies might even consider relocating, particularly as the tram will extend close to the French border and could become a popular commuting option for cross-border workers.
In the only country in the world where all public transport is free, the network continues to expand year after year. Luxembourg is becoming increasingly independent of cars while actively addressing current and future environmental challenges.
If you want to learn more about the tram in Luxembourg, check this other article on our blog.
For more news about Luxembourg and its labour market, visit our blog.
