Wirye Tram in Seoul marks a new era of urban transport
16.09.2025
The city’s Wirye Tram has commenced initial trial runs on a test track in North Chungcheong in an important expansion in the city’s urban transport system.
This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.
Wirye Tram and its high qualities
The tram system is South Korea’s first wire-less battery-powered system. It is an international trend toward sustainable transportation, reduced pollution, and long-lasting infrastructure.
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The line will be 5.4 km long through the southeastern part of the urban area of Seoul. The service will have 12 stops and be operated by 10 trams. The commercial operation is scheduled to commence in the latter half of 2026 and will entail an overall investment of $194 million.
The rolling stock is being constructed by Woojin Industrial Systems. For trial runs, a single Wirye Tram will cover over 5,000 km in order to test acceleration, braking, maneuverability, noise, vibration, and communication and signaling system performance.
Wirye Tram and Seoul’s transport strategy
The design is inspired by the clothing of Onjo, the legendary founder of the ancient Baekje kingdom. This is a significant pointer towards the local heritage and cultural symbolism of the project in Wirye.
Seoul first opened trams in 1899 but shut down the entire network by 1968 to pave the way for the metro and bus network. The city is reintroducing the tram now because it fits into today’s ideals of environmentally conscious and peoples-oriented transport.
Wirye Tram showcases Seoul’s vision to reduce costs and enhance the standard of living and is a precedent towards sustainable infrastructure. According to experts, the initiative may be replicated by other South Korean cities.
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What is Wirye Tram?
It is a new 5.4 km long battery-powered tramway in Seoul with 12 stops and running without overhead cables.
When will Wirye Tram in Seoul open?
The opening will be in the latter half of 2026 and will involve 10 trams in service.
Will the success of the Wirye Tram be replicable?
Yes, as it highlights the success of battery-powered transport and may encourage other similar eco-friendly ventures in all of South Korea.
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