Tampere orders 22 electric articulated buses for Plusbussi launch in 2028

Tampere city transport (Tampereen kaupunkiliikenne) is buying 22 electric articulated buses for its Plusbussi network, scheduled to enter service in August 2028. The procurement, reported by Aamulehti, is open across the EU and includes an option to purchase 12 additional vehicles.

The articulated buses will be about 18.5 metres long and have four-wheel drive. They will have three boarding doors, allowing passengers to board and alight through any door, similar to trams. Each doorway will be fitted with a ticket validator, and the all-electric vehicles are expected to cut local emissions and operate more quietly than diesel models.

The purchase follows an earlier tender process that sought roughly 19 articulated electric buses. It comes as the city prepares to launch the Plusbussi service in 2028 after earlier planning and public consultation.

Tampereen kaupunkiliikenne, wholly owned by the City of Tampere, began operations in January 2025. CEO Juha Mäkinen said the purchase aims to provide high-quality city transport while taking sustainable development into account. The company says it may reject bids containing more than 50 percent of components from third countries.

The Plusbussi name drew attention earlier this year when an originally chosen English-style name was revised to Plusbussi after consultation and a statement from the Language Centre of Finland (Kotus).