BUCHAREST City councillors approved a long-delayed plan to extend the tram network through southern districts, committing funding for design work and land clearance along a 14-kilometre corridor.
The vote followed months of public consultation in Sector 4 and Sector 5, where residents cited overcrowded buses and unreliable connections to the Pipera business area. Municipal officials said construction could begin next spring if environmental permits are issued on schedule.
Transport directorate staff told councillors that the extension would link existing lines near Piața Unirii with new stops planned near Berceni and Apărătorii Patriei. Early estimates put the cost at more than 800 million lei, financed through a mix of local budget allocations and EU cohesion funds.
Opposition members raised questions about maintenance budgets for current rolling stock, warning that new track alone would not improve service if older trams remain in circulation. The governing coalition replied that a separate tender for low-floor vehicles is expected before the end of the year.
Urban planners said the project aligns with Bucharest’s 2030 mobility strategy, which prioritises light rail over private car traffic in dense neighbourhoods. Shop owners along the proposed route welcomed the decision, while some motorists’ associations called for parallel road upgrades to avoid congestion during construction.