The tramway was operated by a private company Oost-Java Stoomtram Maatschappij (OJS, "East Java Steam Tram Company"), and later by Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), and was the only OJS-owned rail system survived in post-independence Indonesia.

The tramway linked Ujung (Port of Tanjung Perak) with Wonokromo and continued towards Krian in Sidoarjo.

As the initial capital of the company, the OJS started to build a steam-powered tram line in Surabaya in 1889.

[4] During expansion, the main line was completely overhauled; the route that previously passed through the banks of Mas River was diverted through the city center, running past Pasar Turi and Sawahan and followed Darmo Street in the city center.

These are the tramway sections in Surabaya according to the book Buku Jarak Antarstasiun dan Perhentian by the KAI.