Tallinn City Government and Tallinna Linnatransport, the city transport operator, signed a new operating contract with a total value of EUR 1.4 billion aimed at increasing public transport market share from a third to a half. The operating contract also includes the development of rolling stock to achieve a CO2-neutral public transport by 2035.
To increase the public transport market share, more than EUR 100 million will be invested in the renewal of rolling stock and infrastructure, the renewal of the network and increasing the speed of public transport. In addition, the agreement will help open the public transport service market to the private sector, with the aim of increasing competition and thereby improving the quality of service.
“Our goal is to make public transport the preferred means of transport for city residents. Today, nearly a third of city residents use public transport to reach their main destination. Our goal is to increase this share to 50%,” Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski said, adding that “rolling stock and infrastructure renewal” will help the city to shift towards public transport and to achieve CO2 neutrality in 2035.
According to Tallinn bus and rail operator, no new fossil fuel vehicles will be purchased, and all public transport will be climate-neutral by 2035 at the latest.
“I believe in a market economy, and I am convinced that an open market and greater competition will make services better and more consumer friendly. That is why I consider that the decision [contract signing] by the city government is not only good and useful, but also a landmark event in the development of Tallinn’s public transport,” Kristjan Järvan, the Deputy Mayor for Transport said underlining that the agreement will help open up the the public transport service market to the private sector.
To renew its fleet, Tallinna Linnatransport awarded Pesa a contract to deliver 23 Twist light rail vehicles which are currently supplied and gradually are added to the existing fleet.
“The line capacity has increased by 32% and reached 36.8 million kilometers per year this year. We currently serve approximately 380,000 passengers per day, but the goal is to reach half a million passengers. Our service is provided by nearly 1,500 drivers and 660 buses, trolleybuses and trams are in use for this purpose,” Kaido Padar, a member of the board of Tallinna Linnatransport said.
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