Tampere unveils Valma, 47.2-metre tram and the longest in the Nordic countries

According to ePressi, Valma, Tampere's first extended tram, will begin depot and on-track type tests in Tampere on Sunday 21 June in its new 47.2-metre configuration, making it the longest tram in the Nordic countries. The work follows the project's earlier lengthening of Valma and this month's module deliveries of initial modules from Transtech's factory.

Skoda Transtech Oy built a 10-metre extension module at its Otanmäki factory and attached it to the existing Valma tram. The vehicle was returned to the Tampere tram depot in two parts, reassembled, and is now ready for depot tests that will continue on the city network. The intensive phase of testing is scheduled to run until the end of August.

"The extension project has proceeded smoothly and on schedule. We are pleased that Tampere has received its first long tram and that its testing phase can now begin," said Pekka Sirviö, CEO of Tampereen Raitiotie Oy. He said the operator has met rising demand by ordering more vehicles and tightening service intervals. Longer trams will add lasting passenger capacity.

The type tests will check the tram's compatibility with Tampere's systems and include driver training for the longer unit. They will also cover overhead line load tests, travel-time measurements, functional and towing tests, and coordinated lifting drills with the rescue department. "For safety reasons we will not carry passengers during testing. The tram will be loaded with sandbags to simulate full load," said fleet manager Mika Luutikivi, who estimated Valma could enter passenger service by the end of the year.

If the prototype module proves successful, Skoda Transtech will produce 11 additional modules to be fitted to existing trams, with deliveries starting at the end of this year and continuing through summer 2028. Tampereen Raitiotie has also ordered seven brand-new long trams, the first due in early summer 2027. The target fleet for the opening of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa line section in August 2028 is 19 extended ForCity Smart Artic X45 trams and 16 shorter X34 trams. The combined cost of the vehicles, modules and development work is about €63 million.

To mark the tramway's five-year anniversary, Valma carries a temporary blue vinyl test livery that will be removed when it enters passenger service.