Construction of the Munich North tram starts: 360 million euros for a new connection!

Construction of the Munich North tram starts: 360 million euros for a new connection!

On October 2, 2025, the starting signal for the Munich North tram was given in Munich. The Stadtwerke München (SWM) invited numerous guests to celebrate the groundbreaking for this important construction project. Among those present were Mayor Dominik Krause and SWM managing director Ingo Wortmann, who underlined the importance of this connection between the districts of Schwabing, Neufreimann, Kieferngarten and Am Hart. The aim is to extend the existing route of tram 23 from Schwabing Nord to Kieferngarten and thus expand Munich's tram network by a total of 5.7 kilometers and twelve new stops.

With this expansion, the tram network in Munich will grow to an impressive length of around 100 kilometers. The focus is particularly on faster transport and improving air quality. Pedestrian and cycling traffic should also be promoted by building a bridge over the DB-Nordring. The complete expansion of the tram route, which will ultimately cost around 360 million euros, is expected to be completed by the end of 2029.

Economic efficiency and benefit-cost ratio

The preliminary benefit-cost ratio of 2.61, which was calculated for the Munich North tram, sends a positive signal. This result comes from Intraplan Consult GmbH and is part of the funding application that was presented to the responsible funding bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Bavarian State Ministry for Building and Transport. Mayor Dieter Reiter described this value as one of the best for new building projects. SWM reports that the high funding eligibility of the project is signaled by possible funding of up to 90 percent of the eligible costs amounting to around 220 million euros.

The previous building permit for the first planning approval phase, which includes the extension of Tram 23 from Schwabing Nord to Kieferngarten, is already in place. The second planning approval phase, which opens up Neufreimann to the Hart subway station, will be discussed by the city council in the coming weeks. The first preparatory measures are already in full swing here.

Importance for the environment and society

The Munich North tram will not only improve mobility in the north of Munich, but will also have a positive impact on the environment. A study The future cluster “MCube” shows that every euro invested in local public transport brings our society a benefit of three euros. This finding underlines the economic and social relevance of the Munich North tram, which is also intended to increase the attractiveness of public transport and reduce private transport.

A community festival after the groundbreaking ceremony also promoted cooperation in the neighborhood and gave those interested the opportunity to find out more about the project. The conversion and modernization of local public transport are crucial steps towards future-oriented urban development.

The Munich North Tram has the potential to become a real “lighthouse project” for the Munich metropolitan region. It remains exciting to see how the construction project develops and what positive effects it will ultimately have on the quality of life of the citizens.