The Bombardier (www.bombardier.com) Flexity 2 tram — in service in the Belgian cities of Ghent and Antwerp — has won the prestigious Henry Van de Velde Label in recognition of its outstanding design.

Competing against over 200 creative and innovative Flemish projects, the tram was selected by an independent jury of experts based on the design criteria of ecology, ergonomics, aesthetics, functionality and quality. The Belgian design agency Yellow Window designed the tram for Flemish public-transport operator De Lijn.

The tram’s stylish exterior attracted visitors’ attention when it debuted at the 2014 InnoTrans rail exposition in Berlin, Germany.

However, its design focus is not limited to the vehicle’s exterior but extends into its interior: the tram’s large multi-purpose areas easily accommodate wheelchairs, bicycles and prams — plus 40% more passengers than their predecessors.

To date, De Lijn has ordered 88 Flexity 2 trams, with the first entering service in Ghent in May 2015.