Tens of thousands celebrated the first Tramdriver World Championship at Vienna’s City Hall Square

On September 13, Vienna’s City Hall Square turned into a hub for public transport enthusiasts from around the globe as it hosted the first-ever Tramdriver World Championship. The all-day public transport festival organized by Wiener Linien welcomed tens of thousands of visitors with a vibrant program featuring hands-on activities, live music, children’s entertainment, and plenty of excitement for the tram.

Great spectacle for public transport fans

Of course, the highlight was the inaugural Tramdriver World Championships: 25 teams from six continents competed in eight disciplines – from precision braking to reverse driving and TRAM bowling. The many fans created an amazing atmosphere, especially cheering on the Vienna team. In addition to the on-site spectators, another 45,000 people followed the event via livestream. In the end, the winning team came from Vienna, Austria!

Lots of people cheer on the teams in front of the town hall

#TeamÖffiLiebe in action

More than 360 Wiener Linien employees made the large-scale festival possible, supported by 80 security staff ensuring safety. “A big thank you to all the teams, our #TeamÖffiLiebe, and the audience for their strong support and great atmosphere. With this day we have proven: Vienna is and will remain the public transport capital of the world,” summarized Wiener Linien’s CEO, Alexandra Reinagl.

A day for the whole family – and for the future of mobility

In addition to celebrating the TRAM World Champions, the spotlight was also on public transport itself. More than 25 stations invited visitors to try things out: from the tram simulator and VR goggles to the track construction station or hopping on a new hydrogen bus. Other highlights included the popular puzzle rally, the smoothie bike, and the safety bus.

The musical program was provided by Wiener Linien’s U-Bahn Stars. Bouncy castles, a ball pit, and a pedal-powered draisine awaited the youngest public transport fans. At the same time, the Recruiting Area provided information about career opportunities at Wiener Linien.

The festival also offered plenty of insights into network expansion, green technologies, and new service offerings. In the Public Transport Ideas Workshop, visitors were invited to contribute their ideas for the future development of public transport.