Eurovision Tram in Vienna

The Eurovision Tram

A Vienna tram has been decorated for Eurovision.  The exterior of low-floor tram #655 now has a very colourful exterior - the artwork is called "Building Bridges" and it is supposed to symbolise the bridging of cultures, languages and borders in Europe.

History of Trams and Eurovision in Vienna

Vienna has a long history with both trams and Eurovision.

Horse drawn trams started in Vienna in 1865, with electric power being rolled across the network after 1897.  Wienerlinien now operates a tram network that is 177 kilometres long, with 525 vehicles, 29 lines and passenger volumes of 293 million per year.  This makes it one of the larger networks in Europe.  In conjunction with an extensive network of underground railways and buses, the transport system encourages sustainability and liveability in Vienna.  

The EuroVision Song Contest is being hosted in Vienna this year, after Conchita Wurst won the EuroVision Song Contest in grand style last year.    Previously, Austria last won the contest in 1966, when Udo Jurgens sang 'Marie Cherie' - he sadly passed away in December 2014.  

Tram transport to Eurovision in 2015

Trams will play a crucial role in getting people to and from the 2015 EuroVision Song Contest at Wiener Stadthalle.  Three tram routes (8, 16 and 49) will take passengers to Urban Loritz Platz when the event takes place in mid-May 2015.

Flickr pics of Vienna's Low Floor Trams: