Tampere City Council approves tram line construction between Pirkkala and Linnainmaa

The Tampere City Council unanimously approved the construction of a tram line between Pirkkala and Linnainmaa during their meeting on Monday. The expansion will be implemented in phases due to state funding being only one-third of the anticipated amount. The council endorsed a plan presented by the city administration to construct the tram segments from Sorin Square to Partola on the Pirkkala side, as well as from Kaupin Campus to Niihama in the first phase. This will include seven new stops toward Partola and one toward Niihama.

The Pirkkala municipal council is also set to discuss the tram expansion in its own meeting, as approval from them is necessary for the project’s continuation in Pirkkala.

Discussions regarding the tram expansion in Tampere provided a rare moment of unity. Several council members expressed their change from being opponents to proponents of the tram system. Mayor Kalervo Kummola reflected on how his views on the tram have evolved over the years. The council’s previous decision to build the tram in November 2016 was marked by significant controversy and public interest, even inspiring a short film about the debates known as the “legendary tram council.” However, this time the discussions lacked such dramatic flair.

After nearly two hours of what turned out to be unanimous agreement, spontaneous applause erupted in the council chamber. Three options for the tram extension were considered, with the chosen option involving the first phase from 2024 to 2028, extending from Sorin Square to Partola and from Kaupin Campus to Niihama. The second phase is scheduled for 2028 to 2031, expanding further into Pirkkala and Tampere. The estimated cost for this option is €357.5 million, with Tampere covering approximately €170.5 million and Pirkkala around €39 million, while the state is expected to contribute about one-third of the expenses.