First Modules of Tampere’s 47‑metre Tram Return This Week

Tamperelainen visited Škoda Transtech’s Kajaani factory and reports that work to lengthen Tampere’s trams to 47 metres is underway. “It looks like a restaurant tram,” joked a Facebook reader. The Valma vehicle is due to begin test runs this summer and is expected back in passenger service at the end of the year.

The factory visit and photos prompted a stream of Facebook comments. Humour mixed with practical requests: some readers suggested a Tampere version of Helsinki’s Spårakoff beer tram, while others asked for ergonomic fixes such as more legroom by the end-door seats so people can sit comfortably. One commenter said shopping bags and suitcases make some current seats unusable and that they prefer buses; another half-jokingly suggested selling the prototype to Turku. The reactions underline local expectations that the lengthened cars should improve comfort as well as capacity.

According to ePressi, both sections of the city’s first lengthened tram will return this week: the first module arrives from Kajaani on Wednesday 27 May and the second is due on Saturday 30 May. Tampereen Raitiotie Oy said the tram – a Valma vehicle sent to the Otanmäki factory on 4 April for a lengthening module – has completed installation, outfitting and factory testing. “The lengthening project will give Tampere twelve 47-metre trams with over 30 percent greater passenger capacity than our current vehicles,” said Mika Luutikivi, fleet manager.

After the two returned sections are joined at the depot, the operator will run type tests starting in June, first at the tram depot and later on the network. Luutikivi said the tram will not carry passengers during the intensive testing phase for safety reasons. The main test period is expected to run until the end of August. Tamperelainen previously reported that the Valma tram would begin test runs this summer and return to service at the end of the year.

If the prototype is validated in Tampere, Škoda Transtech will produce 11 additional modules to be fitted to existing trams. Deliveries of the lengthened 47-metre ForCity Smart Artic X45 vehicles are scheduled to begin in summer 2027, with the full lengthened fleet targeted for service in summer 2028. The operator has also ordered seven further new long trams; the goal is to operate 19 X45 long trams and 16 current-length ForCity Smart Artic X34 trams when the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa line opens in August 2028.

Most stops on the network are already sized for 47-metre trams, but Koskipuisto, Tulli and Hervantakeskus will be lengthened. According to Tamperelainen, work at the stops is set to start at the end of June, with Koskipuisto and Hervantakeskus potentially taking up to two months each and Tulli about a month. Track manager Antti Uotila (Tampereen Raitiotie Oy) said boarding will be possible during all phases, while access routes may be temporarily altered. The operator said it will provide more detailed information to passengers before construction starts.