Tampere Launches 47‑Metre Valma Tram with Room for 345 Passengers

Tampere has put a 47-metre "giant tram" into service, making it the longest tram operating in the Nordic countries. The extended Valma model includes a 10-metre insertion and offers seating and standing space for about 345 passengers. YLE reported the launch.

Behind the wheel, drivers say the long tram handles smoothly despite its length. Samu Makkonen, who pilots the vehicle, told YLE he enjoys guiding it through the Hämeenpuisto S-curve. "It comes like a worm," he said, as the extra sections follow the front carriage. Pekka Sirviö, chief executive of Tampere Tram Company, says the longer trams are a direct response to booming demand: tram trips rose from nearly 10 million in 2021 to more than 20 million last year, and tighter peak frequencies after autumn meant the operator had to add capacity.

After the autumn break, Nyss tightened peak headways from 7.5 to six minutes, and complaints eased. The operator plans to return to 7.5-minute intervals as its cost-effective target, but doing so will require more high-capacity vehicles.

Tampere has ordered extension modules for 11 trams and seven new long vehicles. The city aims to run 19 extended and 16 standard trams by the 2028 expansion to Partola (Pirkkala) and Ruotula.

Drivers and officials say the long tram has already changed travel patterns, encouraged new housing along the route and attracted attention from photographers and visitors.