Teams can be single or double cab. One purpose is to switch direction in case of construction work.
In the picture, a Stadler Tramlinie of Bernmobil switch direction at Kursaal as the Kornhaus bridge is under renovation.
this post was submitted on 15 Mar 2025
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Not really! Lots of tram networks use single cab trams with returning loops.
These loops are placed at each end of each line and at some important places around the network.
Bernmobil historically uses returning loops. But, they recently changed how they manage it. Due to one end of line 6 extending to the countryside and integrated to the network in the late 00's, they had to order new trams with two cabs. At the same time, the oldest generation of single cab tram had reach the end of their life. Bernmobil took this opportunity to change how they handle direction change on the network.
Trams will still run a loop at the end of a line (except one on line 6). But, they began to incorporate switches when renewing the infrastructure to make direction change possible without loops with double cab trams. For this purpose, they replaced partially the older single cab tram with double cab tram.
It has some advantages. The cost is lower. It's more flexible too. The downside is to run teams with lower sitting capacity on lines with loops. The other one is that these trams are more expensive.