After many (many) years of planning, waiting, changing plans and building, the tram line along Invalidenstrasse has finally opened for fare-paying passengers.
Until the Berlin Wall split the line in two, there was a good tram connection all the way down Invalidenstrasse, but it took the opening of Hauptbahnhof in 2006 to really kick-start the project.
The new line had been initially planned to coincide with the opening of Hauptbahnhof 8 years ago, but locals (including Matthew) managed to block the Berlin Senate's plans to turn Invalidenstrasse into an inner-city motorway. This led to a much more in-depth public consultation on the plans and a more coherent design for everyone.
The new line is an extension of the M5 line coming all the way from Hohenschönhausen via the city centre and connects Miniloft with Hackescher Markt and Alexanderplatz without having to change to the S Bahn at Friedrichstrasse.
Eventually the M8 & M10 tram lines will also connect to the new line, connecting the city centre and more eastern areas with Hauptbahnhof, Nordbahnhof and the city centre.
Here's some more information about public transport in Berlin
Photo copyright BVG & Sven Lambert