Public transport finally starts: Westfield never planned for trams, so tram tracks are laid into existing roads with as little rebuilding as possible — a circle line through the busiest areas, two depots, and a line out to the university and crematorium. Then the farms get new fields and workers' barracks, the forestry area expands into the woods without losing the big trees, and the city nears 100,000.
What happens in this episode
Episode 27 fixed the incoming traffic with a new intersection and a two-lane interstate detour. This time I’m really tackling public transport. My first planning mistake: I never thought about tram tracks when I started Westfield.
How it was built
Trams into existing streets
To avoid rebuilding too many roads, tram tracks only go where it makes sense. A few buildings were moved aside temporarily. The first route is a circle line through the areas where most people live, with a few more stops than probably necessary. The tram depot didn’t fit anywhere at first, so some buildings I didn’t like anyway made room.
A second line
A second depot and a line out to the university area and the crematorium followed, with an overpass to get back to the main road. Fifteen and fourteen stops. I usually rename lines once I’m happy with them, so they’re easy to recognise. The first trams ran, 45 passengers per week at first and then rising. One drawback: a tram stopped at a station blocks the traffic behind it.
Farms and forestry
Industrial demand was high. The farm gets a new field (wheat), a greenhouse, apples, pears (I really love pears) and oranges, plus several workers’ barracks. The forestry area expands into another stretch of forest, with barracks right in the woods. Only small trees are removed; the huge redwoods stay. Water pipes follow the roads as always.
Interstate access
A ramp onto the highway was redone because the slope was too steep. I don’t want to stuff the highway with ramps, but the forestry area gets its own interstate connection for trucks. Westfield nearly reached 100,000 citizens, earning more than it can spend.
Video chapters
- 00:00I never planned for trams
- 02:41A circle line through the busiest areas
- 05:13A tram depot and many stops
- 08:37A second depot and the university
- 14:43First passengers — and trams in traffic
- 17:36Pears, wheat and workers' barracks
- 20:43Forestry in the woods
- 26:46Interstate ramps and almost 100,000
Clicking a chapter starts the video above at that point.
FAQ
Can you add trams to an existing city?
Yes. Upgrade existing roads to versions with tram tracks where it makes sense, move a few buildings temporarily, and place a depot where trams can get in and out easily.
Do trams block traffic in Cities: Skylines?
They share the road with cars, so a stopped tram can hold up traffic behind it. Watch busy stops in the first days.
Why rename public transport lines?
It makes them much easier to recognise later, once you're happy with how they run.