Goteborg Urban Transport, Sweden

Goteborg has the largest tram network in Europe. It is Sweden's second-largest city and is located at the mouth of the Göta River on the west coast of southern Sweden. The tram network has been regularly developed/upgraded as there is no metro system in operation. The tram lines in the suburbs do go through tunnels, where there is also one underground tram station. The trams and buses in Gothenburg are run by Göteborgs Spårvägar (known as Västtrafik). The primary means of public transport in the Gothenburg region are tram, bus and commuter train.

In recent years, significant investments have been made in extending the tram system to improve its accessibility and making it the most important mode of public transport. The tram system accounts for 60%, and commuter trains for only 2%, of trips made by public transport. A wide variety of priority measures for public transport has been applied. Trams have priority at nearly all traffic regulated intersections. In 2002, two new stretches of tram line were opened: Chalmers to Korsvägen (mainly through a tunnel) and from Sahlgrenska to Linneplatsen. Over the last few years, the existing M21, M28 and M29 trams have started to be replaced by the newer M31. Travel within Gothenburg is integrated: tickets bought for journeys can be used on both trams and buses.

Non-commercial road traffic has been growing steadily in urban and suburban areas. There are various restraint measures in place within the city centre that appear to be arresting the trend in this particular area. The city centre is largely pedestrianised, with the exception of the tram and buses. This helps keeps road traffic to a minimum, which also helps keep the city's air pollution under control; because of its geographical location, Gothenburg is prone to persistent air pollution.