Article: Tram is heading decisively towards tomorrow

In a short time, the tram has become an essential part of Tampere's public transportation system. Since 2021, it has brought reliability and appeal to travel, and together with buses, it forms the backbone of Nysse.

Currently, 37% of all Nysse trips are made by tram. The tram is used particularly in busy areas and central zones, where people travel to work, study, run chores and spend their free time. Buses, on the other hand, provide extensive coverage across the entire region and bring public transit close to homes, workplaces, and services.

Electric public transit supports climate goals

Tampere aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, and public transit plays a key role in this. Trams run entirely on electricity and reduce local emissions. The same trend is evident in bus services, where the number of electric buses is growing and the fleet is being purposefully renewed.

The tram network is expanding

Next, the tram network will expand to Pirkkala and Linnainmaa. Service from Sorin aukio to Partola and from the Kauppi campus to Ruotula is scheduled to begin in August 2028. The expansion will provide even more people with a fast, emission-free connection to the city center and regional hubs.

The bus network complements the tram and ensures smooth connections even outside the tram network.

Longer coaches will increase capacity

Growing passenger numbers require increased capacity. It is no longer possible to increase the frequency of service, so the solution is to lengthen the coaches.

- The extension added to the coaches will increase passenger capacity by about 30%, says Pekka Sirviö, CEO of Tampere Tramway Ltd.

The goal is to have both extended and standard-length trams in service when the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa line begins operations in 2028. 

Together, trams and buses will create smooth, attractive, and sustainable public transportation for the entire metropolitan area.

 

This article was originally published in Finnish in the 2026 anniversary issue of Matkalla kanssasi.