Tallinn investing in electrifying its trolleybus network as part of its SUMP

As set out in is Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), Tallinn aims for an emission-free public transport system by 2035. It is now upgrading its trolley bus network with 40 battery-powered buses within the next five years (22 articulated buses wth 18m lengths and 18 buses with 12m lengths).

Investments include an upgrade to the contact network on Mustamäe Road, Sõpruse Avenue and Akadeemia Road, the three main arteries of the city. The city government has entrusted the public transport company Tallinna Linnatransport with starting the preparations for the necessary procurement of EUR 40-50 million.

Tallinn’s Mayor, Mihhail Kõlvart, says “While in recent years there has been increasing discussion on whether to abandon trolleybuses and introduce electric buses, it is actually necessary to provide the widest possible range of public transport options to meet the needs of city residents. We have set a target for the capital’s public transport to be emission-free by 2035, in line with the targets set in the Mobility Plan. Several major European cities are currently upgrading their trolleybus networks, such as Vilnius, Prague, Zurich, Milan and many others developing trolleybus services and acquiring new vehicles. Trolleybuses are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost-effective thanks to their high carrying capacities and longer service life.”

The city is also considering adding new routes to the existing 4 trolleybus routes as well as introducing electric buses, which are better suited to serve routes with smaller carrying volumes.