In a colorful celebration of tram transport, Austria hosted the inaugural Tram Driver World Championship in Vienna, where participants from cities including Hong Kong, Rio de Janeiro, and San Diego displayed their tram operation skills in front of thousands of eager spectators.
The competition featured a series of unconventional challenges, showcasing the unique aspect of turning tram driving into a sport. Competitors engaged in activities such as bowling and curling with trams, marking an imaginative twist on traditional driving tests.
Drivers demonstrated their precision through various tests spread over a 250-meter course, including braking techniques measured by the amount of water spilled from a bowl attached to the tram's front. Others tested their ability to halt a bicycle trolley accurately, while one of the crowd-pleasing events involved rolling a giant ball to knock down inflatable pins, a concept branded as 'tram bowling'.
After a fierce competition with 25 teams, the Austrian team triumphed, taking first place. They outperformed Hungary, the reigning European champions, who found themselves in fourth place, with Poland and Norway following close behind in the rankings.
Florijan Isaku, the Austrian winner, expressed his astonishment at the victory, emphasizing the camaraderie among Vienna’s public transport operators, whom he referred to as a 'family'.
As the celebration concluded, the competitors and spectators alike reflected on the charming and thrilling elements of tram operations, reinforcing the cultural significance of tram transport in urban settings.
Looking towards the future, the next European championships are slated to occur in Warsaw, Poland, promising to continue the excitement sparked by this unique event.
