The development of the Karlsruhe tram network at the beginning of the 20th century was affected by the numerous level crossings in the city area where trams were not allowed to cross over railways or could cross only with restrictions.
Therefore, some of the desired extensions, for example, in the southern district, were possible only with the relocation of Karlsruhe station in 1913.
Subsequently, the tram network was expanded to the south.
However, some of these expansions were delayed by the First World War until 1921.

In 1915, the Karlsruhe Local Railway was acquired by the city of Karlsruhe and the metre gauge network became part of the urban tramway.
However, the metre-gauge operation was uneconomical and most sections of it had been closed down by 1938.
The metre-gauge operation finally ended on the last line to Hagsfeld in 1955.

Passenger numbers grew steadily until World War I with a record 56.3 million in 1919, but they collapsed due to the economic conditions after the war and the hyperinflation in 1923/24 to only 21 million.
By 1925, patronage recovered and reached a level of about 40 million passengers annually.
The economic recovery after 1924 made possible the expansion of its network to neighbouring towns like Knielingen (1925), Daxlanden (1928) and Rintheim (1929).
Also in 1929, the newly opened outdoor swimming pool of Rheinstrandbad on the island of Rappenwört was connected to Karlsruhe.
This line operated until 1997, but, due to the lack of housing on the line, only during the summer bathing season.
The Great Depression made further route expansion in those years impossible.
Passenger numbers fell and the deficit rose.
As a result, attempts were made to economise through the use of trailers instead of additional trams.

The tramway was affected by the Second World War.
At first, the main effects of the war were the lack of staff and materials, so that, as in the First World War, women were employed as conductors and drivers, while the workforce was male only during peacetime until the early 1990s.
Blackout measures were taken as a protection against air raids: headlights and windows were partially covered and the trams were given a grey camouflage.
Due to the fuel shortage, truck operations were restricted during the war years, so trams carried mail between Karlsruhe station and the main post office as well as fruit and vegetable shipments from the market hall to various retailers.
As in the First World War, passenger numbers also rose considerably during the Second World War, reaching 66 million passengers in 1943.
The tramways were damaged by a bombing raid in 1941 and the tram network was closed 1944 by massive raids and could only be partly restored to operation.
Apart from the damage to the network, two tramcars and three trailers were destroyed.

After the occupation of Karlsruhe in April 1945, the tram service was gradually brought back into operation.
By 1950, the reconstruction was complete, although some bridges had been given only temporary repairs.
The carriage of fruit, vegetables and mail by tram ended with the normalisation of conditions.
The development of the Karlsruhe tram network at the beginning of the 20th century was affected by the numerous level crossings in the city area where trams were not allowed to cross over railways or could cross only with restrictions. Therefore, some of the desired extensions, for example, in the southern district, were possible only with the relocation of Karlsruhe station in 1913. Subsequently, the tram network was expanded to the south. However, some of these expansions were delayed by the First World War until 1921.
In 1915, the Karlsruhe Local Railway was acquired by the city of Karlsruhe and the metre gauge network became part of the urban tramway. However, the metre-gauge operation was uneconomical and most sections of it had been closed down by 1938. The metre-gauge operation finally ended on the last line to Hagsfeld in 1955.
Passenger numbers grew steadily until World War I with a record 56.3 million in 1919, but they collapsed due to the economic conditions after the war and the hyperinflation in 1923/24 to only 21 million. By 1925, patronage recovered and reached a level of about 40 million passengers annually. The economic recovery after 1924 made possible the expansion of its network to neighbouring towns like Knielingen (1925), Daxlanden (1928) and Rintheim (1929). Also in 1929, the newly opened outdoor swimming pool of Rheinstrandbad on the island of Rappenwört was connected to Karlsruhe. This line operated until 1997, but, due to the lack of housing on the line, only during the summer bathing season. The Great Depression made further route expansion in those years impossible. Passenger numbers fell and the deficit rose. As a result, attempts were made to economise through the use of trailers instead of additional trams.
The tramway was affected by the Second World War. At first, the main effects of the war were the lack of staff and materials, so that, as in the First World War, women were employed as conductors and drivers, while the workforce was male only during peacetime until the early 1990s. Blackout measures were taken as a protection against air raids: headlights and windows were partially covered and the trams were given a grey camouflage. Due to the fuel shortage, truck operations were restricted during the war years, so trams carried mail between Karlsruhe station and the main post office as well as fruit and vegetable shipments from the market hall to various retailers. As in the First World War, passenger numbers also rose considerably during the Second World War, reaching 66 million passengers in 1943. The tramways were damaged by a bombing raid in 1941 and the tram network was closed 1944 by massive raids and could only be partly restored to operation. Apart from the damage to the network, two tramcars and three trailers were destroyed.
After the occupation of Karlsruhe in April 1945, the tram service was gradually brought back into operation. By 1950, the reconstruction was complete, although some bridges had been given only temporary repairs. The carriage of fruit, vegetables and mail by tram ended with the normalisation of conditions.
Trams in Karlsruhe