Why some trams don't have a line number, just direction?

Duwekou40

I just found out i missed my tram because it didn’t have a line number on it. What a confusion!!!!

Tafunge25

I figure you missed the tram 50 or 51 in Zürich. These lines were put in service only for one year due to constructions at HB/Bahnhofquai. Most of the vehicles used on these lines (Flexcity) have digital numbers displays, but the slightly older trams (Cobra) have a paper strip which displays the line number. However, these paper strips don’t contain the numbers 50 or 51, so it would in fact not be possible to display those numbers.
A workaround solution is to show the line number as well in the destination display, but that is technically only possible with quite some effort which not all drivers are willing to do.

Ex-Bähnler

Hello Duwekou40

Please send your message to the operater:
https://www.stadt-zuerich.ch/vbz/en.html

Regards,
Reto

Duwekou40

Hi Tafunge25 Hello! Thank you for the detailed answer. Indeed it was a train Nr. 51. There should be a line numbers on the side, otherwise it is very confusing. Should I report it to SBB to help future passengers?

Tafunge25

Duwekou40 There should be a line numbers on the side, otherwise it is very confusing

As for the front, the line number displays are not actually digital displays but use a paper strip. VBZ considered it too much effort to print new papers for all the trams.

Duwekou40 Should I report it to SBB to help future passengers?

As Ex-Bähnler pointed out, the trams in Zürich are not operated by SBB, but by VBZ (Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich = Zurich transport operator). You can indeed message them, but to be honest I doubt that anything will change, given that lines 50 and 51 will only exist until december 2026.