Tampere plans 4–5% fare rise and service cuts to plug €39.4m transit shortfall

The public transport board has approved a 2027 budget proposal that relies on higher fares and targeted service cuts to narrow the gap between rising costs and income, the City of Tampere says. The plan forecasts revenues rising by €3.4 million while expenses increase by €4.8 million as the city prepares its 2027 budget.

Operating revenues are put at about €81.5 million and operating costs at roughly €120.9 million, leaving an operating deficit of around €39.4 million. It's a substantial shortfall.

The proposal assumes an average fare increase of 4–5 percent, expected to add about €2.8 million. The public transport board will decide this autumn how the rises will be apportioned across passenger groups and ticket types.

Measures include a €200,000 reduction in bus services and longer tram intervals on public holidays, which would save roughly another €200,000. Precise targeting of cuts will be prepared later in the year.

The regional public transport budget for 2027 and the 2028–2029 financial plan were approved for sending to contracting municipalities. Main regional costs are transport services, the public transport unit, research and development projects, and marketing and communications for Nysse.

The proposal follows the public transport unit's stronger-than-expected results for 2025 reported in March. It arrives amid the city's wider 2027 budget pressures projecting a large operating shortfall.