The latest tramway opening in Berlin (on 28th May 2006) is an extension of the "inner ring" from Warschauer Strasse to Eberswalder Strasse along Bernauer Strasse (above) to Nordbahnhof, with the aim of eventual extension to the new Hauptbahnhof along Invalidenstrasse. Surprisingly this line has been built as a pure street tramway on a road which is earmarked for more heavy car use. Bernauer Strasse at this point runs along the course of the former Berlin Wall and on the green area to the right, a new memorial (Gedaenkstaette Berliner Mauer) has been created.

Berlin is also extending its rail network in the city centre with the so-called "Alex II" development providing a new link to Alexanderplatz along Karl Liebknecht Strasse from Prenzlauer Allee. However, lightly used lines could face closure as a cost saving measure and a decision is due to be taken in the Autumn of 2006 on this matter. One line threatened with closure is that from Friedrichshagen to Strandbad Muggelsee (above), which, although on an excellent reservation, only serves a lakeside lido with no in-between traffic objectives and sees little traffic outside of summer weekends.

Also under discussion will be the future of the branch to Schillerstrasse, which although cuttently designated as a "Metrotram" service, normally only has a tram every 20 minutes as the line also serves the separate branch to Rosenthal Nord. Between Nordend and Schillerstrasse, with the intermediate stop at Waldemarstrasse (above), the line is single track serving a quiet residential area. The number of proposed closures is small and with money being spent on new trams and new tracks in areas of higher traffic potential, the future of the Berlin tramway remains assured.