Gothenburg's public transport system is removing over 300 seats from its trams. The renovation project affects 79 M31 model trams that serve Sweden's second-largest city.
Transport officials decided to eliminate four seats from both the front and rear sections of each tram. The changes will create more open space and better accommodate baby strollers.
Jakob Akyol, technical project manager for Gothenburg's tram network, explained the reasoning. "We need more room for free spaces and strollers," he said in a statement.
The seat removal totals 316 across all 79 vehicles undergoing renovation. The trams will travel to the Czech Republic for their upgrades over several years.
The first renovated trams should return to service in November. The complete fleet modernization will finish by 2030.
This decision reflects a common urban transport dilemma. Cities must balance seating capacity with the growing demand for standing room and accessibility features. Gothenburg clearly prioritizes flexible space over maximum seating, which could frustrate passengers during peak hours.