Nysse renames Tampere bus service after language authority objects

Nysse has quietly changed the name of Tampere’s new bus service after the language authority Kotus objected to it, Yle reports. The service, previously announced as Plusbus, is now called Plusbussi on Nysse’s website.

Hanne Tamminen, a communications planner at the public transport company, told Yle by email that Nysse decided to use a more neutral name.

“This way, we can be sure that we comply with all the relevant provisions and recommendations,” she wrote.

Kotus, an authority operating under the Finnish National Agency for Education that promotes the use of Finnish and Swedish, commented on the name on its Facebook page in April. According to Kotus, Plusbus was not a Finnish-language name and therefore did not comply with the Language Act.

The first superbuses, or Plusbussis, are scheduled to begin operating in August 2028 on routes 7 and 8. The new vehicles will be electric articulated buses.

They will follow operating practices used by trams, allowing passengers to board through all doors. The aim is to shorten stops and make it easier to keep to the timetable.

A procurement process for the vehicles began in May and was originally due to end in early October. However, Tampere’s public transport board decided this week to suspend the process.

During the tendering process, it became clear that the request for tenders included requirements unsuitable for articulated buses. As a result, no bids were submitted.

The city will now clarify the request and relaunch the procurement process. The public transport board said the change would cause only a minor delay in acquiring the vehicles. The procurement decision is scheduled to be made by the end of the year.