Glattalbahn

Pre-existing situation A private tramway company, the Strassenbahn Zürich-Oerlikon-Seebach (ZOS), opened a line from Zürich Seebach to Glattbrugg in 1908. At the time, this area was sparsely inhabited and the line was not a commercial success. The link was replaced by a bus service in 1931. In the period following World War II, the Glattal area experienced a rapid boom as population and industry spilled over from nearby Zürich. The development was accelerated by the inauguration of Zurich Airport near Kloten in 1953. The economic growth of the Glattal region is continuing to this day. One of the consequences of the rapid transformation is rising traffic congestion. • Phase 2 branched off from phase 1 and ran to Zurich Flughafen, Bahnhof via Opfikon and Glattbrugg. Construction began in 2006 and the line was opened in December 2008. The route is operated as an extension of city route 10. • Phase 3 saw the phase 1 line extended from Auzelg via Wallisellen to Bahnhof Stettbach in Dübendorf. Construction began in 2008 for a 2010 opening. Trams now run from Zurich Airport to Bahnhof Stettbach as the new route 12. The Federal Council approved an extension on April 6, 2022. ==Operation==

The Stadtbahn Glattal is operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) as an extension to its Zürich tram network. The following routes are operated: Routes 10 and 12 are operated by the VBZ on behalf of the VBG, normally using low floor Bombardier Cobra tramcars in the VBG's own predominantly white colour scheme. Route 11 is operated by the VBZ on its own behalf, normally using vehicles in its own livery with journeys alternating between low floor and older high floor vehicles. ==Future plans==

There are several future plans for extension of the system. As a first stage, the route from the airport to the centre and industrial and commercial area of Kloten is to be extended from 2025 onwards, with the terminus in Bassersdorf Grindel. The project includes a bridge over the airport motorway, a main cycle link and the upgrading of the old stream in the centre of Kloten. The further extension plans are as yet uncommitted, although in some cases the proposed alignment has been protected. They include: • The Ringbahn Hardwald extends the system from the end of the current phase 2 line at Zurich Flughafen, Bahnhof, via Kloten, Bassersdorf, Dietlikon and Dübendorf, to a common terminus with the already built phase 3 line at Stettbach railway station. • An extension from Dübendorf to Uster. • An extension to Bülach. ==References==