City Transport Simulator 2026 DLC transfer allows existing owners of the original City Transport Simulator (CTS) to bring previously purchased downloadable content and save games into the upgraded standalone client at no additional cost. ViewApp released the 2026 edition as an independent game installation across PC on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on April 14, 2026.
If you bought the original CTS before April 14, you receive the full base game of CTS 2026 for free, with compatible add-on licenses carrying over automatically across your respective platform store.
Official DLC Transfer Rules and Eligibility
The migration process depends strictly on when you purchased the base software and what digital platform library you use. Developer ViewApp structured CTS 2026 not as a direct patch, but as a separate application to rebuild underlying systems like AI pathing, performance, dynamic weather, and in-bus ticketing.
| Requirement & Feature | Official Policy | Details & Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game Entitlement | Free upgrade | Applies only to players who owned CTS prior to April 14. Purchases after this cutoff do not grant the 2026 base game for free. |
| Supported Platforms | Steam (PC), PS5, Xbox Series X | S |
| Carried DLC Pricing | Free transfer | All previously owned official CTS DLCs unlock in CTS 2026 without repurchasing. |
| Save Game Migration | Supported | Career and sandbox save progress transfer over to the new build. |
| Separate Client | Yes | CTS 2026 requires a fresh download; the legacy CTS installation remains in your game library. |
Players on PlayStation 5 will see compatible DLC versions and the upgraded game listed as free in the PlayStation Store when logged into the account holding the original licenses. On PC via Steam, entitlements register automatically to your Steam library for eligible items.
DLC Available for Transfer vs. New Add-ons
Content eligible for free transfer includes vehicle packs, city routes, and cosmetic expansions produced during the original CTS release cycle. Brand-new expansions developed specifically for or alongside CTS 2026 remain separate paid purchases.
Carried Legacy Add-ons
Existing licenses for the following content carry over into CTS 2026 at no extra charge:
- MAN New Lion's City
- MAN Lion's City A47 & A26
- Flexity Vienna
- StadtRegioTram
- E1 Vienna
- GT8N Mannheim
- GT6
- Düwag Tram Pack
- Depot + Southern Route Map DLC
- Basel Style Cosmetic DLC
New Paid Add-ons (Not Part of Legacy Transfers)
New content released alongside or after the April 14 launch must be purchased separately if you do not own specific bundles or season passes:
- Citybus C2 DLC: Launched alongside CTS 2026 for €19.99 ($24.99 on Steam), featuring two solo and two articulated variants equipped with driver assistance systems, active climate systems, and integrated ticketing.
- Tatra KT4D Tram DLC: Launched as a paid vehicle expansion on June 30.
- Vienna Expansion: Real-world route expansion priced at $49.99 standalone (also bundled in the Vienna Edition and Season Pass).
- CTS 2026 Season Pass: Priced at $64.99 on Steam, covering the Tatra KT4D, Vienna Expansion, and upcoming release roadmaps.
Troubleshooting Missing Transferred DLCs
Several players have reported launch-day issues where only a portion of their previous library carried over (such as tram expansions appearing while bus DLCs remained locked).
- Verify Base Purchase Date: Double-check that your CTS purchase occurred prior to the April 14 cutoff. If you purchased CTS on or after April 14, store systems do not trigger automatic entitlements.
- Check Platform Store Listings Manually: On console storefronts (PSN and Xbox), individual DLC items might not batch-download automatically. Navigate directly to the CTS 2026 add-on page in your store and check if the items show a "Free" or "Download" prompt.
- Manual Save Directory Migration (PC): While cloud transfers work for most players, community members have noted that if your old progress does not appear instantly on PC, moving your save files from the legacy CTS AppData directory directly into the new CTS 2026 AppData folder restores career data.
- Xbox Entitlement Sync Delays: Players on Discord noted that ViewApp was addressing launch-day issues with Xbox DLC licenses.
- Contact Developer Support: If your Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox library still shows purchased CTS DLC as locked after verifying your transaction history, report your account details to the developers through the official ViewApp CTS Discord server or the Steam discussion support threads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does City Transport Simulator 2026 replace my old game installation?
No. CTS 2026 installs as a completely separate application. Your previous CTS client remains in your digital library and can still be launched independently.
Do I have to pay to use my old CTS DLC in CTS 2026?
No. All DLCs you already purchased for City Transport Simulator transfer into CTS 2026 for free. You only pay if you decide to buy newly introduced expansions such as the Citybus C2, Tatra KT4D, or the Vienna Expansion.
Can I carry over my career progress and settings?
Yes. Existing save files carry over to CTS 2026. Players also have the choice upon boot to decline the import and start fresh from level 1 if they want a clean career progression.
Why was a separate game released instead of a regular patch?
According to official developer statements, fundamental overhauls to the technical codebase, dynamic seasonal weather, KI traffic behavior, passenger models, and performance systems were too extensive to apply via a standard patch without risking corrupted player data or broken legacy saves.
