Tampere made a historical decision on 7 November 2016 – the city will build a tramway
Tampere took the first step towards a new era when Tampere City Council voted to approve construction of a tramway. City Council approved construction of the tramway by a vote of 41–25 (1 abstention). Construction of the first stage of the tramway is set to begin in the spring of 2017.
Construction begins
Construction is beginning on the first part of the Tampere tramway, which is Pyynikintori-University Hospital-Hervanta. The work will be carried out in separate stages at five different sites in the city: City Centre, Kaleva, Hervannan valtaväylä, Hervanta and at the depot worksite in Hervanta.
The world’s first Tampere tramway tracks are laid in Hervanta
The tramway tracks are being transported to Hervanta from Antwerp. The first meters of track were laid on concrete slabs at the intersection of Insinöörinkatu and Kanjoninkatu.
Photo: Susanna Lyly/ Tramway Alliance
Tram Day is celebrated in Tampere’s central marketplace
Tram Day is being celebrated in Tampere’s central marketplace on June 6, with the chance to see a real tram car that will stop in Tampere on its way from Kajaani to Helsinki. A forum for residents of Tampere will provide information on the tramway project and answer customer questions. The first 1,000 visitors will receive a free tram ticket.
The first tracks are laid on Hämeenkatu
The western end of Hämeenkatu will get its first tramway tracks in mid-July.
Construction starts on the tram depot
Construction of the tram depot is starting at the end of Hermiankatu in Hervanta, near the Rusko industrial area. Foundation work is expected to last approximately one year, with construction of the depot building beginning in spring 2019.
The story of an old wallet
A wallet that had been lost for 30 years was found at a tramway construction site. The owner of the wallet was found in just a few hours via social media.
The grand opening of Laulusilta bridge
The pedestrian and cycling bridge across Hervannan valtaväylä reopened to traffic. The bridge is now high enough to allow trams to pass under it. The festive opening ceremony filled the bridge with people and balloons.
City Council approves the second stage of the tramway project
Tampere City Council made a decision to begin the second stage in the development and design of the Tampere tramway. The final decision on construction will be made at a later date.
Construction begins on the Hämeensilta bridge
Renovation of the Hämeensilta bridge will take place in two stages. The first stage will begin in February with demolition of the south end of the bridge. The legendary bridge statues will be moved to a safe location during the renovation, leaving a temporary gap in this historic location.
Watch a video of the construction work on Hämeensilta bridge (Laura Vanzo, Visit Tampere)
Review of tram design begins – What in the world is a mock-up?
Tampere’s own tram design project has begun, and the first mock-up – a full-scale tram model made from plywood and board – will be unveiled to test groups from Tampere in Oulu. Tram car design work will continue based on feedback from the review.
Evaluation of colour options for the Tampere tram
The residents of Tampere will have the chance to evaluate different tram colour options. The goal now is to find the tram colour that best matches Tampere’s image!
The results of the tram colour evaluation are published
The results of the tram colour evaluation performed in April will be made public. The results will help the design agency responsible for the final tram design and colour to continue its work.
Construction of the depot begins
Construction of the depot buildings in Hervanta will begin after the foundation work has been completed.
Tampere Tramway is part of Tampere Day celebrations
On Tampere Day, the Tramway Alliance will provide the opportunity to try out the tracks for the first time. Take a handcar ride to Insinöörinkatu (between Kanjoninkatu and Orivedenkatu)! The Tramway Bus will also be parked nearby to provide information about construction of the tramway.
Photo: Pasi Tiitola/ Tramway Alliance
Tampere residents chose a red tram car
The exterior shape of the tram car was revealed. The starting point when designing tram cars was to find a solution that clearly says “Tampere” and suits the city’s needs. Tampere’s tram car looks smooth, streamlined and functional. In terms of exterior shape, key elements include the shape of the front end, bright passenger compartments, the rhythm of window lines and doors as well as the use of LED lights.
In a public vote on tram car colour held in conjunction with the Tampere Day event weekend, the red option received 13,867 votes, which was 59% of all votes. The other colour option was light blue, which received 9,711 votes. This result means that the Tampere cityscape will have a red tramway starting in 2021.
Manufacturing of the first tram car begins
Manufacturing of the first Tampere tram cars began at the Škoda Transtech factory in Kajaani.
The stops in the first stage of the tramway get their names
On 24 January 2019, the City of Tampere’s Street Name Committee decided on the names of the first tramway stops. A public survey concerning the names was already performed in 2014. Most of the stop names were winning proposals from that survey. The committee will also make some changes to the proposal.
Find out more about the names (in Finnish) here >
Tampere Tramway’s Mock-up Exhibition at Tampere Hall
Reviews held in April 2018 provided the first glimpse of the tram interior. In February 2019, a full-scale mock-up – which is a detailed replication of the tram car – will be presented to city residents at an exhibition held in Tampere Hall. The event will give people the chance to experience the interior of the tram car and its cab.
Tampere Tramway's Temporary art idea search begins
Tampere Tramway’s Temporary art idea search is looking for crazy, creative and visually appealing ideas to brighten up the look of Tampere city centre during the construction phase. The idea search is open from 1 February to 31 May 2019.
More information about the idea search is available at: http://www.tampereenratikka.fi/ratikantaide (in Finnish)
The fabric designer for Tampere Tramway was selected
Designer (UAS) Laura Gröndahl has been selected to design fabrics for Tampere Tramway.
The search for Tampere Tramway’s fabric designer began with an open portfolio application in autumn 2018. Based on that process, the 8-member project jury selected three designers who advanced to the next phase: Professor Emerita Helena Hyvönen, Designer (UAS) Laura Gröndahl and Artist Pasi Niininen.
Under the guidance of the jury, the designers began working on different fabrics for the tramway in mid-October. Eventually they each chose two fabric designs for the designer voting process, which was open to the public from 21–26 February 2019.
The designer was chosen on the basis of jury votes and public votes submitted online and during Tampere Tramway’s Mock-up Exhibition.
Public transportation system in the Tampere region gets a new Nysse brand
In many ways, the public transportation system in the Tampere region will be entering a new phase when the tram becomes part of it. The renewed Nysse brand will also be gradually introduced during the spring.
A decision on Tampere Region Public Transport’s Linjasto 2021 routes has been made
The Linjasto 2021 project integrates tram and bus traffic into a seamless and cost-effective package. The City of Tampere’s Committee for Regional Public Transport made a decision on the routes on 11 April 2019.
Read more about this topic > (in Finnish)
An operator has been selected for Tampere Tramway
VR-Yhtymä was selected as the transit operator for Tampere Tramway in April 2019. Tramway traffic will begin with technical trial traffic during the period between April 2020 and March 2021 and continue with commercial trial traffic between April 2021 and August 2021. According to plans, commercial traffic will begin on 9 August 2021.
The tasks of Tampere Tramway’s transit operator will be implemented as a service alliance. The City of Tampere is the service client. Tampere Tramway Ltd will serve as the service integrator and client representative in the direction of the transit operator.
Mock-up Exhibition opens at Rollikkahalli
The full-scale model of a Tampere tram car, also known as the “Mock-up”, will be on display to the public at Rollikkahalli in the Pyynikki district of Tampere starting on 8 May 2019. Tampere Tramway’s Mock-up Exhibition will be open from 1 pm to 7 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays every week until the end of the year. Larger groups can also make advance bookings to visit the exhibition on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Construction work completed on the Tuulensuu block
In June 2019, Tuulensuu will become the first tramway block to be completed on Hämeenkatu.
Tuulensuu Block Party
Tampere is building a tramway, and Hämeenkatu will undergo a complete makeover at the same time. The Tramway Alliance is rebuilding the sidewalks, underground municipal engineering and street lighting in conjunction with the tramway work. Tuulensuu – the first tramway block on our main street – was completed in June. A celebration to mark the completed section of street will be held in the Tuulensuu area from noon to 4 pm on Saturday 24 August. The family-oriented event is free of charge.
Construction work completed in front of Tampere University Hospital
Tramway construction work in front of the entrance to Tampere University Hospital has been completed.
Tampere Tramway is part of Tampere Day celebrations
Tampere is turning 240 and celebrating its anniversary during Tampere Day events, and Tampere Tramway will be part of those celebrations. Four sightseeing tours with a tramway theme will be arranged on the weekend of 28–29 September 2019. Participants will have the chance to hear more details about where Tampere Tramway is right now and what lies ahead. The sightseeing tours will also include a visit to Tampere Tramway’s Mock-up Exhibition at Rollikkahalli. The sightseeing tours are free of charge, but participants need to register in advance. Tampere Tramway will also be presented at the Tampere University Hospital’s Open House event from 10 am to 1 pm on 28 September.
Tramway sightseeing tours on Tampere Day weekend
Sat–Sun 28–29 September 2019
1–2:30 pm Sightseeing tour: Here comes the tram!
3–4:30 pm Sightseeing tour: Here comes the tram!
Tampere Tramway at Tampere University Hospital’s new Open House event
Sat 28 September 10 am–1 pm
The first tram traffic lights come to Hervanta
The first tram lights will be erected in the Hervanta district of Tampere in autumn 2019.
Starting at the northern end of Insinöörinkatu, the tram traffic lights will be installed at the first three intersections, which means Kanjoninkatu, Orivedenkatu and Opiskelijankatu.
The new Hämeenkatu: Railway Station Block Party
The Tuulensuu Block Party was held in August 2019 to celebrate completion of the first tramway block on the new Hämeenkatu. At the eastern end of Hämeenkatu, work will be completed on the two blocks between Rautatiekatu and Aleksanterikatu during October. A Railway Station Block Party will be held between noon and 4 pm on 27 October to celebrate this milestone.
Voltage is connected to the Tampere Tramway
An important step in commissioning the tramline system involves connecting the voltage to the contact line. From 18 November onwards, consent must be obtained in order to work in the vicinity of the tramway. Tampere Tramway Ltd is also organising Tramway Safety Training sessions for people who will be working close to the tramway.
Decision to build a tramway on Hatanpään valtatie
Construction work on the long street sections in Kaleva – along Sammonkatu and Teiskontie – has been completed. Half of the work was completed ahead of schedule.
On 25 November 2019, the Tampere City Council decided to extend the tramway along Hatanpään valtatie on the section between Hämeenkatu and Tampereen valtatie. The line will end at Sorinaukio. The tram line from Tampere University Hospital will continue along Hatanpään valtatie. City Council approved the extension by a vote of 50-16 (1 abstention).
Recruiting of traffic controllers begins
VR will serve as the tram operator. The tram operator is responsible for recruiting and training drivers and traffic controllers. VR will start recruiting tram traffic controllers at the beginning of next year, and recruiting of drivers will take place during the following summer. The open positions will be announced at https://www.vrgroup.fi/fi/vrgroup/rekry/.
Construction work begins on Hatanpään valtatie
The Tramway Alliance will begin modification of traffic arrangements related to construction of the Hatanpään valtatie section of the tramway on 7 January.
Recruiting of tram traffic controllers ends
VR began recruiting for Tampere Tramway by looking for the first traffic controllers. Ten traffic controllers will be hired. A total of 626 applications were received by the deadline (10 January 2020).
The Mock-up becomes a training simulator
Tampere Tramway’s full-scale model, known as the Mock-up, will be moved from Rollikkahalli to its permanent home at the depot in January. Once at the depot, the Mock-up will be modified to serve as a training simulator for Tramway traffic controllers and drivers. The traffic controllers will be trained first.
The Tampere Tramway test car arrives
A tram car from Germany intended for testing will arrive in Tampere at the end of February. Manufactured in 1981, the car was previously used in Hannover tram traffic. In Tampere, the tram car will be used to test the tram line and related systems before the arrival of Tampere’s first proper tram car – the so-called prototype – in May.
Test runs begin on Tampere Tramway
Testing of Tampere’s tramway track and tramline system with the test car will begin at the tram car depot on 16 March. The first test runs outside the depot will be performed on Hermiankatu on Wednesday 18 March.
Hämeensilta bridge prepares for track laying
The second stage of the Hämeensilta bridge renovation is complete and track laying can begin on the bridge.
The very first Tampere tram car arrived in Tampere
The first Tampere tram car will arrive at the tram depot in Hervanta on 23 May.
Recruiting of tram drivers begins
VR will serve as the tram operator. The tram operator is responsible for recruiting and training drivers and traffic controllers. VR will start recruiting approximately 65 drivers on 2 June 2020.
An info event concerning the recruitment process will be held at 4 pm on 2 June 2020. This event will be implemented as an online broadcast due to the coronavirus situation. The event can be watched live on VR’s recruiting website via a link that will be updated later, and a recording of the event will also be made available after the event.
The open positions will be announced at https://www.vrgroup.fi/fi/vrgroup/rekry/.
Spot the very first Tampere tram car in traffic
In early July 2020, people will be able to see the very first Tampere tram car on the track – moving back and forth, braking and accelerating. These are so-called type tests of the car, which measure performance values: braking distance, properties when driving at full speed, exterior noise levels, the air conditioning system, etc.
The first tests will be performed between Hervanta and Turtola.
The second tram car arrives in Tampere
The second tram car arrives in Tampere in September 2020. The second car will be ready visually and, for example, it will include the fabric selected for the tram seats.
After type tests of the car have been completed, it will receive type-approval. The next cars will be series production cars, which will allow testing to proceed much faster.
Watch a video presentation of Tampere Tramway
Tampere Tramway test runs reach Kaleva and Tammela
Test runs on Tampere Tramway will continue in a new area in September 2020. The very first Tampere tram car will be moving on the section between Turtola and the Itsenäisyydenkatu railway station tunnel, and on Teiskontie between Sammonaukio and Kaupinkatu.
The second Tramway Art landmark is completed on the Turtola support wall
The second Tramway Art landmark will be completed on the Turtola support wall along Hervannan valtaväylä. Created by Tampere artist Jan Anderzén (born in 1978), “Come back as a flower” was implemented with the glass mosaic technique. The work of art was inspired by the links between digital image culture and traditional handicrafts as well as recent research on flowers.
All track has been laid on Tampere Tramway
All Tampere Tramway rails from Pyynikintori to Hervanta and from Tampere University Hospital to Hatanpään valtatie have now been installed. The last section was laid as a curved track at the intersection of Hatanpään valtatie and Hämeenkatu.
Photo: Tramway Alliance
The third tram car arrives in Tampere
Tampere’s third tram car will arrive on 17 October. This is the second Tampere tram car to be manufactured as series production.
Tampere City Council decides on construction of section 2 of the tramway from Pyynikintori to Lentävänniemi
On 19 October 2020, Tampere City Council made a decision to build section 2 of the tramway from Pyynikintori to Lentävänniemi. The City Council also decided on guidelines for the regional tramway during the same meeting.
Section 2A of the western branch of the tramway will run from Pyynikintori along Pirkankatu and Sepänkatu across the main railway track and then along Paasikivenkatu to the renewed Santalahti residential area. In the following 2B implementation section, the tramway will cross Paasikiventie on a bridge and run via Näsisaari to Hiedanranta before continuing through the Niemenranta area to Lentävänniemi.
The investment decision was approved by a vote of 56–11.
Illustration: City of Tampere and Sitowise Oy
Construction begins on the western section of Tampere Tramway
The Tramway Alliance will begin building section 2 Tampere Tramway (Pyynikintori-Santalahti-Lentävänniemi) in November. This section of the tramway will run from Pyynikintori to Lentävänniemi via the districts of Santalahti, Hiedanranta and Niemenranta.
A new era in Tampere Tramway test runs – recruiting of test passengers begins and VR takes over as tramway operator
Tampere will take another important step in the tramway era when responsibility for Tampere Tramway operations is transferred to VR.
At the same time, test runs will move to a phase in which the first test passengers step on board to provide feedback on the tramway system and the planned traffic as a whole.
Tampere Public Transport (Nysse) will start recruiting test passengers on its website on 2 November. Apply to be a test passenger from 2 November–6 December 2020 at nysse.fi/nysselab
The first test passengers will travel on the tram in early 2021.
Tampere Tramway’s test runs expand to Pyynikintori
Starting on 15 November, you’ll be able to spot the tram on Hämeenkatu and all the way to Pyynikintori.
The fourth tram car arrives in Tampere
Tampere will receive its fourth tram car at the end of November
The fifth tram car arrives in Tampere
Tampere will receive its fifth tram car in mid-December.
The sixth tram car arrives in Tampere
Tampere will receive its sixth tram car in January.
Pyynikintori Art Stop is completed
A new art stop will be completed at Pyynikintori by the end of January as part of the Tampere Tramway Art Programme. Designed by artist Jaakko Himanen (born in 1975), Tuulensilmät (Eyes of the Wind) is built from colourful partition walls embedded with recycled car windows of different shapes and strings of LED lights. The Majaoja Foundation from Tampere has supported implementation of the Pyynikintori art stop.
Illustration:
Tampereen Tramway Ltd/ JCDecaux Finland Oy, Idis Design Oy and Skyfox
Tram stop concept:
Jaakko Himanen and Fantasia Works
The seventh and eighth cars arrive in Tampere
Tampere will gets its seventh and eighth tram cars in February.
Tampere Tramway’s test runs expand to the Kauppi campus area
In March, you’ll be able to spot the tram at the Kauppi campus.
Illustration: Tampereen Raitiotie Oy/ Idis Design and Skyfox
Tampere Tramway’s test runs expand to Hervantajärvi
In March, you’ll be able to spot the tram in the Hervantajärvi area.
Open trial traffic begins on Tampere Tramway
Open trial traffic will be begin on the tramway in May 2021. It will already be possible to travel on the tram at that time, but service frequency will vary and there may also be some days with no service. Tram timetables and other functions will be tested during trial traffic. Bus routes and service frequency will remain normal during the trial traffic phase.
Tampere Tramway’s test runs expand to the bus station area
In July-August, you’ll be able to spot the tram in trial traffic all the way to the bus station.
Traffic on Tampere Tramway will begin on 9 August 2021. Hop on the tram!
Traffic to Santalahti begins
Tampere has ordered a total of 19 tram cars for section 1 of the tramway. The three-section, bi-directional ForCity Smart Artic X34 tram cars are 37.3 metres long. The tram cars are designed and manufactured by Škoda Transtech at its Otanmäki factory in Kajaani.
Traffic to Lentävänniemi begins
Construction on section 2 B between Santalahti and Lentävänniemi can begin once the permit for filling a body of water for the construction of Näsisaari is legally valid. The aim is for section 2 B to be ready in 2024.
Illustration: City of Tampere and Sitowise Oy
Tramway traffic begins
Traffic on Tampere Tramway will begin on 9 August 2021. Hop on the tram!
Tampere Tramway’s test runs expand to the bus station area
In July-August, you’ll be able to spot the tram in trial traffic all the way to the bus station.