Kolkata (Calcutta) is unfortunately the only city in India still having trams as a means of public transport albeit with very limited service. The vintage tram network has in recent years diminished to a point where only a single route is in operation (as of 2025). Daily tram ridership is reported to have fallen to about 15 000 in recent years whereas in 2010 it was over 70 000 and earlier on substantially more. A total revitalization and expansion of the tram network requires substantial investment and planning incl. replacement of rolling stock and line infrastructure. Road space is limited in Kolkata and occupied by an ever-increasing number of motor vehicles. Electric buses ply on a few routes.
Five metro rail lines are presently under various stages of operation in Kolkata.
WBTC (West Bengal Transport Corp. Ltd) operates the tram network of Kolkata. The first electric tram to run in Calcutta was in 1902, the first in Asia. Horse and steam engine hauled trams were in service by the 1880's. By 1943 the track length of the tram line network had been expanded to over 67 km but since then has gradually decreased. The rolling stock is of vintage type (old SLC and SLC and some new trams with a polycarbonate ceiling and larger windows, better lighting and piped radio/music). The older tram cars are around 70 years old. WBTC also runs an extensive city bus network.
This video was filmed mostly in 2010 (one clip in 2006).
