Tampere trams to reach Partola and Ruotula from August 2028

Tampereen seudun joukkoliikenne announced in a press release to ePressi that the city’s tram operating agreement will be extended to cover new services to Partola in Pirkkala and to Ruotula from the Kauppi campus, starting in August 2028. The extension will be managed under the existing alliance model that governs current tram operations. It keeps the same partners in place.

The original alliance contract was signed on 26 June 2019 between the City of Tampere, VR‑Yhtymä Oy and Tampereen Raitiotie Oy. The expansion is meant to allow the entire tram network to be operated as a single integrated system.

Officials say the change will help ensure a smooth launch of the new route. It should also improve cost control and speed up responses to disruptions.

The amendment raises the contract’s annual value by about €2.9 million, a modification municipal officials say falls within procurement law limits for specialised services. The expiry date remains 31 December 2031, with an option to extend for up to three years.

The regional public transport committee approved the expansion at its meeting on 9 September 2026. The decision follows recent tram works as traffic works progressed in Partola and builds on earlier plans to lengthen stops to accommodate longer 47‑metre trams and related stop‑extension work.