Construction on Vienna’s new tram line 12 and its 2.2-kilometer extension through the city’s second district has been completed. Just in time for the start of the school year on Monday, September 1, the new line will run from the U6 Josefstädter Straße station to Hillerstraße in the second district. The addition creates a new transit corridor with extensive transfer options to Vienna’s subway and suburban rail network, directly benefiting some 250,000 residents along the route.
A new transit axis shortens travel times and creates connections
Line 12 will run from U6 Josefstädter Straße through Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof, U4 Friedensbrücke, U6 Jägerstraße, and U6 Dresdner Straße to the S-Bahn station Traisengasse, continuing through the Nordbahnviertel and U1 Vorgartenstraße to its final stop at Hillerstraße.
The new line connects four districts (2nd, 8th, 9th, and 20th) and offers transfers at five subway stations (U1, U4, U6) and two S-Bahn stations. In the future, it will also connect to the upcoming U5 line at Arne-Karlsson-Park. Of the 25 stops along Line 12, five are brand new, built as part of the extension in the second district.
For the roughly 250,000 residents along the corridor, the stronger transit link means faster access to workplaces, schools, and shopping. Travel from the Nordbahnviertel to U6 Dresdner Straße will drop from 10–14 minutes to just 7 minutes, while trips to the Donauzentrum shopping center will take 11 instead of 18 minutes. During peak hours, trams will run every eight minutes.
Stronger transit for the Nordbahnviertel
The Nordbahnviertel, home to around 22,700 people, will see the most dramatic improvements. New stops at Bruno-Marek-Allee (also served by Line O) and Haussteinstraße bring residents direct access to U1, U4, U6, the S-Bahn, and multiple tram and bus lines. With an additional 1,000 apartments under construction, the district’s population will eventually reach 25,000—all with improved public transport access via Line 12.
Bus service adjustments
The launch of Line 12 also brings changes to bus routes in the second district. Starting September 1, Line 11B will be fully integrated into the schedule of Line 11A, which will see additional buses on its central section from Monday to Saturday. These extended buses will now run from Friedrich-Engels-Platz to Elderschplatz, simplifying service by eliminating the need to check two separate timetables.
