M-line to run past 2031; weekend trains and new stops planned in Tampere

According to the City of Tampere, Tampere will keep commuter rail running past 2031 on the Nokia–Tampere–Lempäälä–Akaa corridor, and plans to expand services with weekend trains and new stops once they are completed. The decision sets a path for the existing M-line to operate after the national contracting round due around 2031, and weekend frequency will increase. Stations such as Epilä and Sääksjärvi are being prepared for service, with M-trains planned to call at Epilä and, once the infrastructure is in place, at Sääksjärvi. According to Tamperelainen, the weekend services could also extend further towards Nokia, reaching the Harjuniitty area after the double tracking between Lielahti and Tesoma is completed. Preparations are also advancing for commuter trains in the Ylöjärvi–Orivesi direction, coordinated with neighbouring municipalities and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The city has also expressed interest in developing commuter links between Tampere and Turku. Tampere is set to prepare a separate letter of intent with Ylöjärvi, Kangasala and Orivesi to advance the Ylöjärvi–Orivesi services, Tamperelainen reports. The plan also includes a policy goal to ensure that Nysse tickets remain valid on trains ordered by Traficom within the Nysse area. Expanding services will depend on joint funding arrangements as Finland moves to nationwide rail tendering. Tamperelainen says municipalities would sign a binding co-funding agreement later to lock in their share of the costs. A recent draft estimated that adding weekend M-line service could cost local municipalities roughly €1.7 million a year, with a detailed split by municipality: €900,000 annually for Nokia and Tampere, €300,000 for Lempäälä and €500,000 for Akaa, according to Tamperelainen. Traficom has set a September deadline for regions to decide on train purchases tied to the 2031 timetable. Meeting agendas and minutes are available for review.