Ratikka tram scores 90% approval in Tampere as Pirkkala backing rises to 75%

A consumer survey conducted in October 2026 found that 90% of Tampere residents and 75% of Pirkkala residents view the Ratikka tram positively. Tampereen Raitiotie Oy commissioned the poll from IROResearch to monitor local attitudes after several years of operation.

Overall positive support changed little year on year: Tampere's rate slipped from 91% to 90%, while Pirkkala's climbed from 72% to 75%. Those who feel very positively about the service total 68% in Tampere, down three percentage points, and 44% in Pirkkala, down four. Negative views remain low in Tampere but are higher in Pirkkala: 6% of Tampere respondents and 14% of Pirkkala respondents described the tram negatively; very negative responses were 2% and 5% respectively.

"The consumer survey gives us valuable information about how residents experience Ratikka and how their views change over time," CEO Pekka Sirviö said. He added the results help identify development needs and ensure the tram serves both current and future service areas.

Ridership is widespread, with 96% of Tampere residents and 80% of Pirkkala residents reporting they have ridden the tram, increases of three and 14 percentage points from last year. Nearly half of Tampere respondents, 47%, use Ratikka at least weekly. In Pirkkala the weekly share is 11%. Tampere passengers most often travel between home and the city centre, while Pirkkala riders mainly use the tram for short trips within Tampere city centre.

The results also point to a measurable shift toward public transport. In Tampere, 59% say Ratikka has increased their own use of public transport, up from 39% in 2020. In Pirkkala, 54% say the tram has or will likely increase their public transport use, up from 49% last year. Among Tampere car drivers, 65% now say Ratikka has increased their public transport use, nine points higher than last year. Tampere respondents report the biggest drop in private car use, whereas Pirkkala respondents cite a reduction in bus travel.

Residents also report positive effects on local development: 53% of Tampere residents view Ratikka as having a positive effect on their neighbourhood, rising to 58% for areas close to the line. In Pirkkala, 42% say the tram has had a positive impact on their area. IROResearch carried out computer-assisted telephone interviews in October 2026 with samples of 500 Tampere and 150 Pirkkala residents aged 15 to 75. Tampereen Raitiotie has commissioned the Tampere survey annually since 2017 and expanded the study to Pirkkala in 2025; compared with those baselines, positive opinion has risen by 34 percentage points in Tampere and 9 points in Pirkkala.

The findings continue a longer trend of growing support and local development linked to the tram: public backing increased last year as previous polling showed, and studies have tied the tram to a housing boom and more residents living near stops research from September.