Tampere-owned Hopealinja to end inland water services

Hopealinja will end its passenger services on the waterways of the Pirkanmaa and Kanta-Häme regions after this summer, Yle reports. The company’s operations will be wound down by the end of the year.

Suomen Hopealinja Oy, which is wholly owned by the City of Tampere, has faced significant financial difficulties for several years. The city has been trying for a long time to sell the shipping company to private owners, but its business has not become profitable.

“As no financially sustainable solution has been found, the end of the business must be accepted in the overall interests of the city and from the perspective of responsible financial management,” Matti Helimo, chair of the city executive board’s group division, said in a statement.

Hopealinja board chair Asko Koskinen told Yle that services will end on September 30. Permanent employees will be made redundant because of the closure, with the layoffs carried out in stages.

Hopealinja’s routes have operated on Lake Pyhäjärvi to Viikinsaari, Visavuori and Hämeenlinna, and on Lake Näsijärvi as far as Virrat.

Viikinsaari, an island off Tampere, is owned by the city. Without a functioning boat connection, its services would be unavailable and many traditional events held there could not take place.

Koskinen said efforts would be made to maintain services to Viikinsaari, potentially through a private operator.

The future of the steamship Tarjanne remains unclear. The ship is owned by Runoilijan tie Oy. Hopealinja and Runoilijan tie have had an agreement covering the ship’s management, but that agreement will end when Hopealinja closes.