Turku approves 12 km tram line, service to start in autumn 2033

Announced on 18 May 2026: Turku city council voted 36 to 31 to build a 12 km tram line from the harbour via the city centre and Kupittaa to Varissuo (estimated total cost EUR 465.2 million), subject to state funding from the next MAL agreements on land use, housing and transport, without which construction will not start. The first phase in 2026–2028 builds a transit corridor in the historic centre (EUR 33.3 million, of which EUR 10 million is secured state funding, plus EUR 15.1 million for archaeological excavations); the line is due to be completed in 2032 and to enter service in autumn 2033 after test runs. Tram procurement runs in parallel (estimated EUR 65–75 million), and the line is being built by an alliance of the city, Turun Raitiotie, Ramboll, Sweco, GRK and NRC. The date is a placeholder: the article gives only autumn 2033, and 30 November 2033 is used. (LOK Report, 20 May 2026)