If you wrack your brains back to the beginning of the tram's life, it first began operation in December 2017. Initially, the tram only journeyed through Kirchberg to the red bridge (Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge), but as of July 2018, it then went on past the Glacis to Place de l'Etoile. By the end of 2020, the tram will offer one seamless journey from Luxexpo to the Central station in Luxembourg City.
Whilst workers are busy with the task of laying the tracks, the questions on the tram's future include where the next tracks will be set and how Luxtram is prepared to manage an increase in passengers.
Finally, just how long will it take to get from A to B, in this case Luxexpo in Kirchberg to Luxembourg City's railway station?
Luxtram director André Von der Marck explained that more and more people have adapted their habits to include the tram in their journeys through the capital. The authorities have adapted bus routes to link them up to tram stations. For instance, many buses arriving from outside of Luxembourg City end journeys at Place de l'Etoile, where passengers can connect to the tram and other buses.
Last year, the tram saw a 30% increase in passengers, transporting a daily average of 30,000 passengers. The tram operator expects numbers to rise from 1 March onwards.
In turn, Luxtram is adapting its schedule to allow for the increase in passengers. Von der Marck explained: "We will increase our transport offer by nearly 25% during the morning rush hour (between 7 am and 9.30 am), as we will offer a tram every four minutes. Currently, we work with trams every five minutes."
Luxtram is not only preparing for the impending change on Sunday, but also has plans in place for the end of the year. Once the tram's journey is extended to the Gare centrale, then a tram will run every three minutes during rush hours. Von der Marck also explained that the current fleet of trams is limited to nine.
By the end of the year, that fleet will be expanded to 17 and there will be 17 trams operating at the same time. This means there will be very significant increase in the tram's offer compared to the four additional stations.
Once the tram's extended route officially opens, the journey from Luxexpo to the railway station will take an average of 23 minutes. The tram will have its own lane, which is why Luxtram is not currenty expecting many delays, such as those that have affected buses going through the capital.
And what's next for the tram? Minister for Mobility and Public Works François Bausch has many plans: "I will absolutely propose expanding the tram towards Route d'Arlon. A first phase of this extension could go as far as the hospital, creating another interchange hub. And of course we have the famous fast tram to Esch-sur-Alzette. The first phase to Foetz should be operational by 2028.
"And we're also planning another route towards the RTL building in Kirchberg [currently services by the bus 18], as a completely new residential neighbourhood is being built. We're also in the process of considering an expansion eastwards, towards Munsbach station. There we need to see what type of transport we could use, if not the tram, to build in that direction."
As for the current tram, its route will go as far as the Lycée Technique in Bonnevoie by Decembe 2021.
Two years later, it should then connect Luxembourg Airport through to the Cloche d'Or.
Free public transport series - part one: How did Luxembourg get to the point of making public transport free?
Free public transport series - part two: 45 million public transport passengers per year, and climbing
