Mass transit is a valuable service in Cities: Skylines 2. When citizens use buses and metros, it means they aren't driving around and clogging the city streets with traffic. Mass transit can also move goods around and keep trucks off the main roads.
Trams aren't new to the Cities: Skylines franchise, but in the original game they were part of a DLC. In Cities: Skylines 2, they're now part of the base game, where they can be a useful alternative to buses. However, players will need to know how best to use them.
How to Unlock Trams
While players get access to basic transportation services at the Grand Village milestone, they'll need to unlock every transportation type aside from buses. Trams cost three development points to unlock: one for trains, and one for trams. Players can then access the Trams tab, choose between North American and European styles, and start building tracks.
How to Build Tram Tracks
First, players should start with a tram depot. This building can go anywhere on the map, but players should place it far away from population centers since it generates a lot of noise pollution. Each depot supports up to 10 trams, or 15 with the Garage Extension upgrade.
Next, players should start laying tram rails. The rails are in the Trams tab, and players can either create independent tram lines or use the "Replace" tool mode to add them to existing roads. The road can be small, medium, or large, but it can't be a highway or an alley. Players can highlight alleys with the Replace tool, but no tram tracks will appear. This happens even if players choose the one-way tram track.
A special requirement of tram tracks is that they have to create a complete circuit. A tram needs to be able to go out, make a loop without turning around, and then return to the depot. If it can't, a warning pin will appear over the unconnected end of the track.
Something else to note is that trams obey the right-of-way when players build them on roads. A tram track built on a one-way road will be a one-way tram track, even if players have selected the double tram track. On the other hand, tram tracks go straight through the middle of roundabouts.
How to Create a Tram Line
Once players have a tram track that makes a complete circuit and connects to a depot, they can create a tram line. Step one is to create several tram stops along the line for people to use.
Tram stops can go anywhere along the side of the tram track, including parts of the track that aren't along roads. However, citizens are much more likely to use roadside tram stops. Roadside tram stops will replace whatever parking spaces or grass verges were present with an extra-wide sidewalk that goes up to the edge of the tram line. Players should also make sure every tram stop is on the outside or inside of the circuit so the tram won't have to turn around to complete its route.
If players need to move a tram stop, they must click on the tram stop's sign to bring up its menu and hit the "Relocate" button. Any tram lines that use the stop will change their routes to account for the new location.
Next, it's time to create the route. Select the tram line tool from the tab and click on one of the tram stops. Click on each stop in order, then complete the route by clicking on the first stop. Trams automatically return to the depot when they need maintenance, so don't worry about including it on the route.
If players want to add new stops or adjust a line's route, they should activate the Tram Line Tool, click on a line, and then drag it to create a new stop or waypoint. To remove a stop or waypoint, hover over it and hit the cancel button.
Players can also deactivate or permanently delete underperforming tram lines. First, select the Transportation info view. Next, choose the tram icon on the menu that appears on the left. Players will then see all the tram lines in a list. From this list, they can change each line's color, activate or deactivate them, or click the trashcan icon to get rid of them.
Another option is to adjust the ticket price (lower prices mean lower profits but more passengers) and the number of assigned vehicles. Longer routes support more trams by default, but players may want fewer to cut costs or more to keep up with demand.
Something important to note is that trams obey the traffic laws while they travel on roads. This can limit their speed and leave them stuck in traffic jams, just like buses. The advantage of trams over buses is that they can carry more passengers than buses, and they can be more flexible by taking shortcuts that use their own dedicated tracks.
Cities: Skylines is available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.