Tallinn to continue updating its public transport network this fall

TALLINN – The city of Tallinn is planning several updates to its public transport network this year to improve connections between different districts and provide more convenient transfer options.

The changes are scheduled to begin during the fall school holidays starting Oct. 21. However, before final decisions are made, residents will have the opportunity to provide feedback at meetings and via the website www.tallinn.ee/uusliinivork. The collected feedback will be analyzed by district and responses to questions and suggestions will be provided afterward, spokespeople for the city government said.

Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski invites all residents to actively participate in discussions on updating the public transport network.

"The changes in the network affect all public transport users, so we want feedback on the proposed changes from as many residents as possible. Based on this feedback, we can determine if the changes proposed by specialists need any adjustments before final decisions are made," Ossinovski added.

Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan said that the detailed presentation of the plans and the collection of additional feedback will begin next Monday.

"Although the Tallinn transport department has made all proposals for updating the network based on data, we take residents' feedback seriously. If it turns out that some plans require further analysis or consideration of alternatives, we will do so. No decision will be forced through," Järvan added.

The updates to the network are based on Tallinn's traffic model, which relies on extensive data collection. This includes population distribution and demographic data, information from the public transport user counting system, and traffic data. Mobile positioning data and demand matrices from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board for registered home, work, and school locations are also considered. The planning of the new network also takes into account studies, citizen feedback, and recommendations from external consultants.

The updates to the public transport network will be implemented in stages to allow people to gradually adjust to the changes. The updates also depend on infrastructure, as new transport hubs and stop locations need to be created or adjusted in several places to enable more convenient transfers. The network modernization began in the summer of 2023, when nine bus lines were combined into four new lines, and some routes were slightly adjusted.

In the second phase of changes, for example, Haabersti will get a new fast connection between Tiskre and the city center, and between Astangu and the city center, covering both the port and the future Rail Baltic terminal. Schoolchildren in Kakumäe will have a direct connection to schools and healthcare facilities in Mustamäe.

In the Pirita district, there is a proposal to optimize the route of line 49, enabling travel from the Pirita center to Ülemiste City in under 30 minutes, while the journey from Viimsi to the airport will be shortened by 20 minutes. Additionally, a new line is planned in Pirita to provide connections between the district’s social infrastructure.

Lasnamäe will see more and faster connections with North-Tallinn, Kristiine, and Haabersti. New main lines will ensure smooth movement between all districts, and the new line 48 will connect social infrastructure and create a link with the Pirita district.

North-Tallinn will finally have a long-awaited direct connection with Haabersti. Access to shopping centers and social infrastructure in other districts will improve, and lines 40 and 35 will be better synchronized.

Mustamäe will receive new direct connections with Haabersti and Kakumäe. The restructuring of lines 12 and 13 will provide access to more destinations, while changes to line 20 will speed up connections between TalTech, the city center, and the port.

Kristiine will gain a new direct connection to schools at the Liivalaia Street and Pärnu Road intersection, workplaces in the Maakri Quarter, and the port. Longer buses on line 24 will help reduce capacity issues on Sõpruse Avenue.

In the city center, several new connections with all districts will be added, along with new lines passing through the city center to ensure smooth transfers and access to key logistical and social points.