[2] The system is operated by HEAG mobilo [de], and is an integral part of the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV), the public transit authority of the Rhein-Main-Area.

The steam tram lines were originally built and operated by a private consortium led by the railway entrepreneur Hermann Bachstein, before being transferred to the newly formed Süddeutsche-Eisenbahn-Gesellchaft on 11 February 1895.

A concession to build and operate this was awarded to Siemens & Halske and the first two lines opened on 23 November 1897, linking the Hauptbahnhof (main railway station) to Böllenfalltor and Taunusstraße to Hermannstraße.

[1]: 36 While some older lines were closed, including those to Oberwaldhaus in 1970 and Ostbahnhof in 1986,[4] new sections were built following the development of new residential areas.

An expansion of the tram network is planned to serve new developments in the Ludwigshöhviertel, on land formerly used by the US Military.

The new ST15 trams are 43 m long, unidirectional vehicle with five sections and were the first order for the Stadler Tina [de] model.

[10][11] Since 1997 a steam tram service, known as Feuriger Elias, has been operated by the ARGE Historische HEAG-Fahrzeuge (Working group for historic HEAG vehicles).

[12] The tram runs on selected weekends and holidays in May, June and September on two routes, between Frankenstein in Eberstadt and Alsbach, or between Griesheim and Darmstadt Scholoss.