Europe’s public transit captains showed off their skills at an annual championship. “We have been practicing,” a Dutch competitor said. “But t

Going the Distance at the Tram Driver Olympics

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2024-09-16 19:00:08

Europe’s public transit captains showed off their skills at an annual championship. “We have been practicing,” a Dutch competitor said. “But the other teams have also been practicing, too.”

The driver braked hard and came to a screeching stop. Fans gasped, awed at the precision. Referees conferred, making sure all was aboveboard.

Instead, the competitors facing off on Saturday in a central square of Frankfurt were the captains of Europe’s tram systems. They had come to Germany’s financial hub to vie for the trophy at the 11th European Tramdriver Championship.

The annual public transit jamboree might best be described as tram dressage. The drivers coaxed their commuter chariots through an obstacle course meant to test their whimsy, mettle and precision.

“We try to mirror the entire range of skills a driver should have,” said Wieland Stumpf, the president of the championship.