ANDREW BATCHELOR: We should bring the Dundee trams back - but without the tracks

Green coloured trackless trams would be in line with Xplore Dundee’s bus colours - and honouring the trams of the past

Next year marks 70 years since trams disappeared from the streets of Dundee. Yet, almost seven decades later, the idea of bringing them back still sparks imagination and debate.

This topic recently resurfaced when Mark Rannoch commented on a Dundee Culture post about a £3 million investment in Dundee Technology Park, suggesting that the city should reintroduce trams. It’s a fascinating proposal - and one that deserves a closer look.

The original Dundee tram system was once a staple of city life, connecting communities across the city from 1877 until 1956.

While I was born far too late to ever see them in action, I’ve often imagined what it would have been like to watch the trams roll along our streets, weaving through the heart of the city.

During my recent visits to Toronto, one of my favourite sights was the city’s iconic red streetcars. They aren’t just a method of transport - they’re part of the city’s identity.

The Toronto streetcar system is a staple of Toronto’s identity

Dundee already has a connection to Toronto through Mackenzie House, the museum dedicated to William Lyon Mackenzie, the Dundonian who became Toronto’s first mayor. So it seems fitting that we look across the Atlantic for inspiration.

Imagine a similar streetcar system here - only green, matching the traditional colour of Dundee’s old trams and modern buses.

Since 2015, Xplore Dundee has brought that iconic green back to our streets, paying homage to the city’s transport heritage.

Trams in this shade would not only be functional but a visual celebration of our history.

So, what’s stopping us?

The two usual suspects: cost and disruption.

People often point to the Edinburgh Trams project as a cautionary tale - significantly overbudget and fraught with delays and disruption. It’s understandable that some are wary of repeating those mistakes.

During Dundee City Council’s consultation for the future of the city centre, trams were brought up as an idea. However, the conclusion was that it wouldn’t be “value for money,” especially given the city’s size.

What the old Dundee trams looked like. (Picture: Dundee Museum of Transport)

That said, Dundee actually had a larger population when the original tram system operated - so the argument might not be as clear-cut as it seems.

Previous campaigns to bring back the trams have fizzled out, including one in 2019 that showed promise but quietly faded away.

Still, Dundee is not alone in considering modern transport solutions. Glasgow is currently exploring the Clyde Metro, a ‘tram-like’ system, while Aberdeen has its Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) proposal already in motion, despite rising costs.

So as the only major city in Scotland not considering this transport model, where does that leave Dundee?

The answer might lie in something more practical and cost-effective: trackless trams.

Many, including Mark and myself suggested it. Trackless trams are essentially rubber-tyred, battery-powered vehicles that look and feel like trams but run without fixed tracks.

Think of it as a blend between a tram and a bus - but smarter, more efficient, and far more modern.

A great example is Belfast’s Glider system, which has proven highly successful. It connects different parts of the city through dedicated lanes, offering a smooth, frequent, and reliable service.

It’s also been praised for helping reduce congestion and revitalise communities along its routes.

Trackless trams offer several advantages over buses. They can carry more passengers, have easier boarding for people with mobility needs, and often run more smoothly due to electric motors and guided navigation systems.

The Belfast Glider is a brilliant example of a operational rapid transit system (Picture: Wikimedia Commons)

They also have a stronger presence in the streetscape - more visible, more accessible, and, ultimately, more likely to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport.

For Dundee, we don’t need an overly complex system - just one or two routes maximum. Mark suggested just one single route - from the Dundee Technology Park through Riverside, passing the airport and arriving in the city centre would be a strong start. From there, extensions to areas like Broughty Ferry could be an idea for the future.

Unlike traditional trams, there’s no need to dig up roads or install expensive infrastructure. Trackless trams could share existing roads, and if dedicated lanes are introduced, then that's even better, but it doesn't need to be a necessity.

This would dramatically reduce both costs and disruption while still delivering a modern and sustainable public transport option.

As our city continues to grow and change, it’s worth thinking big - but also thinking smart. Reintroducing trams in a new, trackless form could celebrate our past while preparing for the future.

So perhaps it’s time to stop dreaming about what used to be and start building what could be.