European Tram Driver Championship 2024: Where Tram Driving Becomes a Sport

The European Tram Driver Championship, also known as TRAM-EM, is an annual event that transforms the everyday task of tram driving into an exciting competition of skill and precision. The 2024 championship, held in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, on September 14, showcased the continent's best tram drivers in a series of challenging tasks.

A Brief History of TRAM-EM

The European Tram Driver Championship began in 2012 in Dresden, Germany, to celebrate the 140th anniversary of the city's tram network. Since then, it has become an annual event, rotating between different European cities. The championship has grown in popularity, attracting tram enthusiasts and spectators from across the continent.

The 2024 Championship in Frankfurt

The 11th TRAM-EM in Frankfurt featured:

• 25 teams from 20 countries
• A 200-meter long course with six disciplines
• Two competition runs for each team

Challenging Tasks for Skilled Drivers

The championship included a mix of classic challenges and new tests:

1. Perfect Stop: Stopping at a defined door with centimeter precision
2. Emergency Brake: A reaction test measuring braking distance
3. Memory Test: A new addition replacing the TRAM-Bowling for safety reasons
4. TRAM-Billiards: Delicately maneuvering the tram to push a billiard cue
5. Speed estimation with a hidden speedometer
6. Precision driving past a gate

Scoring System

Each discipline was worth a maximum of 500 points, with an additional 500 points awarded based on overall time. With two runs per team, the theoretical maximum score was 7,000 points.

The 2024 Results

After fierce competition, the final standings were:

1. Budapest, Hungary - 3850 points
2. Brussels, Belgium - 3800 points
3. Kraków, Poland - 3100 points

More Than Just a Competition

The TRAM-EM is not just about competition; it's a celebration of public transport and tram driving skills. The 2024 event in Frankfurt included:

• A large family festival
• A show stage and children's entertainment
• An information area about public transport in Frankfurt

Looking Ahead to TRAM-EM 2025

The next European Tram Driver Championship is scheduled for September 13, 2025, in Vienna, Austria. Tram enthusiasts and drivers are already looking forward to this exciting competition. The organizers have indicated that the popular TRAM-Bowling event, which was replaced by a memory test in 2024 due to safety concerns, is expected to return in 2025, adding an extra element of excitement to the championship.

The European Tram Driver Championship represents a unique blend of professional skill, public engagement, and city pride. It not only celebrates the often-overlooked profession of tram driving but also promotes sustainable urban transport in a fun and exciting way. As the event moves to Vienna in 2025, it continues to grow and evolve, showcasing the importance of public transport and the high level of skill required to operate trams efficiently and safely.

Are you ready?