Opened in 1893, the network has been operated since 1954 by Ruhrbahn [de] (formerly Essener Verkehrs-AG), and is integrated in the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR).

The network is complemented by the three light rail lines of the Essen Stadtbahn.

As of November 2010[update], the 52.4-kilometer (32.6 mi) tram network consisted of the following seven lines:[1] Sections with shorter headways in Bold, sections with longer headways in italics.

2 Line is operated jointly by Ruhrbahn/BOGESTRA (almost exclusively with Ruhrbahn rolling stock).

Current fleet:[2][3] Media related to Trams in Essen at Wikimedia Commons