Tampere tram driver Hilda Polamo wins European title in Warsaw, first Finnish woman to medal

Hilda Polamo, 26, took the women's title at the European Tram Drivers Championship in Warsaw on 19 September 2026. She retrained from media work after graduating as an audiovisual media professional in 2023, switching careers because of a weak job market in the media field. She has driven Tampere trams for about two years and had little traffic-sector experience beyond a B driving licence. The job has suited her: "I've been happy with the job. It's been fun." The account was reported by Aamulehti.

On the Warsaw course organisers tested precision braking, speed estimation, smooth driving and a basketball shooting challenge. Polamo adapted to unfamiliar vehicles during the practice days. She briefly appeared to have won bronze before organisers corrected the results and declared her the champion. It was the first time a Finnish woman had medaled at the Tram EM. Tampere's team finished ninth in the city competition. Polamo is already aiming for the 2027 European championships in Luxembourg, where the winner will qualify for the 2028 world championships in Australia.