Munich’s Tram Offensive: Ambitious Promises, Limited Progress
In 2021, the Green-Red coalition in Munich embarked on an ambitious journey to transform urban mobility, establishing a new Mobility Department and pledging to construct five new tram lines while evaluating eight others. As of February 2026, the reality presents a more modest picture: only two lines are currently under construction, prompting a critical examination of the city’s public transport strategy and its long-term implications for Munich’s rapidly growing population.
The Vision vs. The Reality: A Tale of Two Trams
The coalition’s initial goals were bold, aiming to significantly enhance Munich’s public transport infrastructure. However, the progress has been slower than anticipated. Andreas Frank from the ‘Pro Bahn’ passenger association offers a nuanced perspective, questioning whether those who set high goals should be judged more harshly than those with limited aspirations. Despite the challenges, a new tram line, a segment of the Tram-Westtangente, is set to commence operations next Saturday, February 28th, marking the first new tram line in a decade since the expansion to the ‘SZ’ high-rise in Berg am Laim in 2016.
This new section will run between Agnes-Bernauer-Straße and Ammerseestraße, with Line 14 operating every ten minutes from Pasinger Bahnhof to Gondrellplatz via Fürstenrieder Straße. The MVG has successfully conducted test runs with both historical and modern trams, confirming its operational readiness. However, this is merely a partial completion, with the remaining sections of the 8.3-kilometer Tram-Westtangente, connecting Nymphenburg and Obersendling, not expected to be finished until 2028.
The second major tram project initiated by the Green-Red administration is the ‘Tram Münchner Norden,’ designed to serve the new residential area of Neufreimann, built on the former Bayernkaserne, which will house approximately 15,000 people. This line aims to improve connectivity to the Kieferngarten (U6) and Am Hart (U2) U-Bahn stations. Construction began in October 2025, with an estimated completion in late 2029, contingent on the progress of a crucial bridge over the Deutsche Bahn tracks.
Obstacles and Stalled Projects
Not all projects have seen similar progress. The ambitious Tram Nordtangente, intended to traverse the English Garden, was halted by the Free State of Bavaria, the park’s owner. Similarly, an extension to Bahnhof Johanneskirchen has been stalled for years due to regulatory hurdles, with the government of Upper Bavaria intervening in September 2023 over unfulfilled planning approval procedures.
Several other tram projects, including lines to Freiham, Ramersdorf, the Tram-Südtangente, and extensions along Wasserburger Landstraße and from Berg am Laim to Daglfing, have been put on hold until at least 2027 to conserve funds. This indicates a significant scaling back of the initial comprehensive expansion plans.
U-Bahn Expansion: A Costly but Necessary Endeavor
Beyond trams, the coalition also announced a U-Bahn expansion program. For the first time since the opening of the Moosach U-Bahn station in 2010, a new U-Bahn line is under construction. The U5 extension from Laimer Platz to Pasing is underway, with the first section to Baumschule Laim expected by 2031 and full completion by 2034. Planning is also progressing for a further extension to Freiham, with a preliminary U-Bahn station structure already approved at a cost of nearly 100 million Euros.
A similar, but far more expensive, preparatory structure for the U9 line is being built at the Hauptbahnhof, costing over 560 million Euros. The U9, intended to relieve the existing network, is projected to be completed in 10 to 15 years under “favorable conditions,” with its realization heavily dependent on the city’s financial health. Initial estimates of four billion Euros in 2022 are now considered significantly higher.
However, budgetary constraints have already led to the cancellation of the U4 extension plans to the northeast, and paradoxically, plans for a car tunnel in northern Munich are still moving forward, despite the coalition’s initial promises against such projects. This tunnel aims to improve connectivity to BMW, with a new variant being explored after the original plan interfered with a water protection area.
Political Perspectives on Munich’s Transport Future
The upcoming communal elections in 2026 have brought transport policy to the forefront of political debate:
- SPD: “Fewer Plans, More Implementation”
SPD leader Anne Hübner emphasizes completing ongoing projects like the Tram-Westtangente and the ‘Tram Münchner Norden’. She is skeptical about new lines due to costs, only considering a new tram to Daglfing if Munich secures Olympic funding. Hübner also highlights the need for federal funding for U-Bahn projects like the U9, which she believes is unlikely for network relief projects. - Greens: “More Tram Lines”
Mayoral candidate Dominik Krause views the current progress as a success, citing a decrease in Munich’s traffic congestion and a high percentage of journeys made by public transport, cycling, or walking. He advocates for continued investment in public transport, including the U5 extension to Freiham and the U9, along with new tram lines to Lerchenauer Feld, Dachau, and Daglfing, acknowledging that not all will be completed within six years. - CSU: “U-Bahn Instead of Tram”
CSU mayoral candidate Clemens Baumgärtner expresses a preference for U-Bahn lines over new trams, critically viewing the Tram-Westtangente and the ‘Tram Münchner Norden’. He would cancel the Johanneskirchen tram project due to its high cost. Baumgärtner supports U-Bahn extensions for U4, U5, and U9, hoping for federal and state funding, particularly if Munich hosts the Olympics. He also champions autonomous driving as a cost-saving “game-changer.” - FDP: “More Money for Public Transport”
FDP’s Fritz Roth calls for increased funding for MVG, suggesting an annual subsidy increase from 150 million to at least 200 million Euros to improve punctuality and frequency. He proposes a new ring-bus line and a five-minute frequency for all tram lines, advocating for the completion of U4 extension plans and the Johanneskirchen tram by 2030. - The Left: “Free Public Transport for All”
Katharina Horn, candidate for The Left, prioritizes making public transport more affordable, advocating for a social tariff for the Deutschlandticket and ultimately free public transport. She supports tram expansion over U-Bahn projects, particularly canceling the U9, and calls for 24/7 U-Bahn operation for shift workers. - ÖDP: “Quick New Bus Lines”
ÖDP leader Tobias Ruff favors rapid implementation of new bus lines and is critical of large-scale projects like the U9 due to cost and complexity. He supports the U-Bahn extension to Freiham but views the Neufreimann tram critically due to environmental concerns over tree felling.
A City at a Crossroads
Munich’s public transport future is a complex tapestry woven with ambitious plans, financial constraints, political maneuvering, and the pressing needs of a growing city. The Green-Red coalition’s initial promises have met with the realities of urban development, funding challenges, and bureaucratic hurdles. The ongoing debate among political parties reflects differing visions for how Munich should navigate its transport challenges, balancing ecological goals with economic realities and social equity.
As the city approaches the 2026 communal elections, voters will face a critical choice: whether to continue on the current path, adjust course with a different political leadership, or embrace more radical solutions. The outcome will not only determine the future of Munich’s trams and U-Bahns but also the very character of one of Germany’s most dynamic cities.
Source: https://www.abendzeitung-muenchen.de/muenchen/fuenf-versprochen-zwei-im-bau-so-steht-es-um-muenchens-tram-offensive-art-1114174
