Tampere extended trams to lift capacity ahead of 2028

Tampere extended trams are meant to help the Finnish city’s tramway carry more passengers as demand rises and the network prepares for planned extensions to Pirkkala and Linnainmaa.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Tampereen Raitiotie Oy says the system is already operating close to its practical ceiling. Trams run at roughly six-minute intervals, and the operator argues that trying to increase frequency further is not realistic because it would quickly create traffic congestion. CEO Pekka Sirviö says lengthening the vehicles is the only feasible way to add capacity without major changes to operations.

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Tampere extended trams and the modular upgrade plan

The fleet for Tampere is built in Finland at the Škoda Transtech plant in Otanmäki (Kajaani). The operator plans to use a modular tram extension module, adding an extra section of approximately 10 meters to trams selected for extension—an approach also described by Škoda Group. This will increase vehicle length from 37 to 47 meters, and transport capacity is expected to rise by around 25%.

A prototype is already in the outfitting phase and is scheduled to reach Tampere for testing this summer. Tampereen Raitiotie Oy says the longer trams will keep the same technical characteristics and performance as the current units, while materials and components remain compatible and interchangeable with the existing fleet.

Fleet plan for the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa tram extension

Tampere currently operates 28 trams. By the time the first section of the Pirkkala–Linnainmaa extension opens—scheduled for summer 2028—the plan is for the city to run 19 extended trams alongside 16 standard-length units; the same split is also noted on the Tampere Tramway website.

After testing, series production of the extension modules is due to begin at the factory, and the operator says this will not affect daily tram operations.

Škoda’s modular approach and wider interest

Škoda Group says the option to lengthen the trams was built into the design from the beginning. Juha Vierros, the company’s director in Finland, describes tram extension projects as uncommon, but says the modular concept fits Tampere given the system’s success and the need to improve passenger service.

The manufacturer adds that the same modular model could offer operational flexibility for other European cities experiencing similar increases in public transport demand, a context also discussed in Railway Supply.

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