11.09.2025

Project planning begins for a new tram route from Lielahti to Ylöjärvi – here’s how to find information and participate

A project plan to continue the Tampere tramway from Hiedanranta via Lielahti to Ylöjärvi is currently being drafted. The public can follow the progress of the planning phase and find information on the schedule of upcoming terrain walks, map surveys and other opportunities to take part in the initiative via the Tampere Tramway website.    The project plan will be completed in spring 2027. After that, the cities of Tampere and Ylöjärvi will be able to decide on starting the implementation process.

The project plan for the Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tramway section will include area reservation plans and preliminary street plans for tram streets, arrangements for transfer stops and park-and-ride facilities as well as plans to build a storage depot on Turvesuonkatu in Lielahti. Comprehensive impact evaluations and municipal economy impact assessments will also be made.

– In the expansion scheme of Tampere Tramway, a project plan is the second last stage before deciding on the construction of a new tramway section. A project plan provides a comprehensive analysis of impacts, benefits, disadvantages, costs and profits of implementing versus not implementing the section in question. In this stage of the planning process, the value and cost-effectiveness of the project are evaluated from the point of view of the cities of Tampere and Ylöjärvi as well as the state of Finland. The project plan is due for completion at the end of April 2027,” says Ville-Mikael Tuominen, Development Director of Tampere Tramway Ltd.

The Tampere City Board and Ylöjärvi City Council ratified the detailed alignments and stop locations for the Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tramway section in their refined comprehensive plan for the area in February 2023.

– In the project plan, the spatial requirements of different forms of traffic on tram streets will be specified in detail, considering the spatial needs for tram tracks, pedestrian and bicycle traffic and motor vehicle traffic, turning lanes included. The functioning of intersections will be ensured by functionality reviews. In the future, the project plan will be treated as initial information for any city plans for traffic on streets with light rail reservations,” describes Lead Traffic Engineer Pekka Stenman from the City of Tampere.  

The public has an opportunity to take part in planning

The project plan will be created in interaction with residents of Tampere and Ylöjärvi as well as stakeholders of the initiative. This means that now is the time to take part in and influence the planning of spatial arrangements, traffic routes, site access, transfer stops and park-and-ride facilities for tram streets.

People interested in the initiative will find information on the planning process on the Tampere Tramway website www.tampereenratikka.fi/suunnittelu/lielahti-ylojarvi/ (in Finnish). They can also subscribe to a newsletter about the progress of planning and opportunities for participation, including map surveys and public events. A stakeholder workshop, as well as terrain walks for the public and stakeholders, are planned for spring 2026. In autumn 2026, the plans will be available for the public to review and comment on in an open map survey and townhall meetings. In spring 2027, statements from crucial stakeholders will be collected for the finalization of plans.

Reviewable options

The project plan will include a comparison of a tramway and bus route option. The city boards of Tampere and Ylöjärvi are going to decide on the content of the project plan, i.e. the goals of implementing the initiative and drafting the project plan, the comparable options for the public transport system, and the methods of impact evaluation.

– The city of Ylöjärvi is pursuing a denser city structure and a developing traffic system. The city growth program includes a target of 45,000 residents in 2040, says Mari Ruissalo Development Manager of the City of Ylöjärvi.

The project plan for the Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tramway section will be drafted collaboratively by the cities of Tampere and Ylöjärvi and Tampere Tramway Ltd. The tramway company commissions the planning of the depot, while the rest of the project planning is ordered by the cities. The consulting company for the project is Ramboll Finland Ltd, with subconsultants WSP Finland Ltd, Ratite Ltd, and Wuutis Ltd providing their support.

Future plans

The project plan will be completed in spring 2027. A decision on construction has not been made yet, but the city councils of Tampere and Ylöjärvi are able to use the information in the project plan as a basis for the decision on starting the implementation planning and on the target schedule for the continuation of the project.

Lielahti-Ylöjärvi -tramway planning in short

The initiative for the Lielahti-Ylöjärvi tramway section includes several planning stages. The plans have become more refined by each stage.

• Regional comprehensive plan, 2018–2021
• Refined comprehensive plan, 2021–2022
• Project plan, 2025–2027

After the completion of the project plan, the city councils can decide on the start of implementation planning. The possible implementation plan can then be used by the councils as a basis for making a decision to start the construction phase.

Estimated schedule

• Implementation planning 2029–2031
• Construction 2032–3035

Further information:

Ville-Mikael Tuominen
Development Director
Tampere Tramway Ltd.
Tel. 050 343 0700
ville-mikael.tuominen@tampereenraitiotie.fi

Mari Ruissalo
Development Manager
City of Ylöjärvi
Tel. 044 486 3124
mari.ruissalo@ylojarvi.fi

Pekka Stenman
Lead Traffic Engineer
City of Tampere
Tel. 040 163 7226
pekka.stenman@tampere.fi