The line links the town of Lugano with Ponte Tresa, and is 12.3 kilometres (7.6 mi) long.

However nothing was done until 1910, when the Ferrovie Luganesi company was founded to construct a narrow gauge electric railway between the two towns.

At Lugano station, a link track connected to the adjacent Lugano–Tesserete railway, allowing transfer of rolling stock.

[11] Between 2004 and 2007, significant upgrading work was undertaken in order to allow the introduction of 15 minute interval service.

The line also possesses two 1979-built Be 4/8 twin-car sets, number 41-42 and purchased second hand from Ferrovie Autolinee Regionali Ticinesi, which are kept in reserve.

Cars are painted in an orange and cream colour scheme, with a distinctive stylised smile on the front.