The old tram of Piraeus (1882-1977)

Trams left an indelible mark on the history of urban transportation in Piraeus, remaining an integral part of residents’ daily life for decades. The first horse-drawn tram line appeared around 1882–1883, connecting the Customs House with Larisis Station. In 1910, the system was electrified using trams from the British company Dick Kerr, and by 1912 the lines had expanded throughout the city. The trams in Piraeus were not originally of a uniform color; they differed depending on the line they operated on. The coastal route trams running between the Old Customs House and Larisis Station were red. Locals nicknamed them “Charleston” due to their swaying motion. The other lines used green trams. Eventually, even the coastal route vehicles were painted green before World War II, while the Italian-made trams of Perama were yellow. World War II and the devastating bombings forced the suspension of tram operations. Although service gradually resumed in 1945, it wasn’t enough to prevent their eventual phase-out. Public sentiment had turned against trams by 1948, with citizens favoring the streets’ return to motor vehicles. The final line to close was that of Perama in 1977, bringing a definitive end to an entire era for the city. Pictured: Piraeus. Electric tram at Pasalimani, early 20th century. ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.