Trams are reviving in many regions of the world due to its low carbon emission and better utilization of resources. However, this above-ground rail system is prone to unexpected disruptions such as vehicle breakdowns, track misalignment, power outages, and natural disasters. The fast response to disruptions is important for continuous operations of tram systems and provision of high-quality passenger service. This research is inspired by the tram system operations in cities of China, Germany and the United States with respect to their strategies for dealing with disruptions, particularly the collaboration strategy with taxi companies to provide quick replacement service, as practiced in Germany. Comparisons between the tram systems from different regions have been made to find indicators for adopting different strategies. The case study of disruption handling methods in public transport system will provide managerial insights for both academic and practical directions.