The shortest subway in the world

The construction of the metropolitan railway had by now progressed to the point when the first 1.6 kilometres long section of track between Kennedydamm and the Opera House was finished and a service commenced on 3rd October 1981, accompanied by a public festival. The first stage was called preliminary service. The intention was to use the finished tunnel sections immediately in order to reduce the traffic on the overground network to the greatest extent possible. Naturally, the services on this first short underground track section were still minimal. Some people mockingly described the Duesseldorf underground railway as the fastest in the world: No sooner had one get in the underground than you've got to get off.

In 1981, the first B80 trams were delivered. In order to ensure an adequate number of vehicles that could operate both below and above ground, it was necessary to convert the new GT8S vehicles and furnish them with extendable steps. These vehicles are called GT8SU. Both the GT8SU and the VRR’s B80 trams are still in use today.