Making Connections: A New Tram Line for Tallinn’s Old Port

Estonia is a country of considerable ambition. Nowhere is this more evident than in the reforms and investments included in its Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), which sees €953,000,000 in NextGenerationEU funding channelled towards a swathe of daring initiatives. High on the country’s agenda is the clean energy transition, which entails diversifying its energy supplies, investing in renewables, and phasing out harmful energies like oil shale. As Estonia moves towards greater sustainability, cleaner mobility has also become a priority, as typified by Tallinn’s Old Port tram line. 

Indeed, the new tram line is among the plan’s flagship infrastructure projects; a 2.5km stretch of light rail that entered into service in December 2024, with a NextGenerationEU investment of €36,500,000. For many in Estonia’s capital, the new line was well overdue, as it finally connects the city’s Old Port – and with it, sea connections to other Nordic nations – to the Rail Baltica hub in the city centre, the regional train station and Tallinn Airport. Among its objectives, the project seeks to reduce congestion and air pollution in the city by offering a more sustainable means of transport, thereby improving residents' quality of life. 

To learn more, we spoke with urban planner and architect, Jaak-Adam Looveer, as well as local resident and commuter, Kaur Orgusaar:  

Is the new tram line a welcome addition to Tallinn? 

J-AL: That's an understatement! The Old Port tram line means we now have a fully integrated transport corridor opening up a world of possibilities, and EU funding has played a major part. The new line has enhanced the interconnectedness of transport within our city. The Old Port offers ferry connections to other Nordic destinations, namely Helsinki, and the tram line links this zone to the Rail Baltica Ülemiste terminal, which will grow in importance as that mega project moves forward. It also links the Old Port to the city centre, the central train station and the airport, making it an essential component of Tallinn's infrastructural landscape.

KO: For me, as a resident of Tallinn, it's truly a game changer. It brings huge benefits to the city. I live in the city centre myself and it used to be tricky to reach the port, and even the airport, as there was no direct tram line. The new tramway means I can comfortably and easily travel to either. My work involves quite a bit of travel, which makes it a major boon for me in particular. If I need to catch a flight or a ferry, I can handle it with ease. In general terms, the tram also reduces the need for a car and should encourage more Tallinn residents to use public transport instead. This will surely relieve congestion.

“We now have a fully integrated transport corridor opening up a world of possibilities, and EU funding has played a major part.”  

– Jaak-Adam Looveer, Urban Planner and Architect 

From an environmental perspective, will it have a positive impact? 

J-AL: Most definitely. As Kaur mentioned, the new line is also a way to encourage public transport uptake. When a city’s transport links are disjointed – as they have been – some people don’t get as much use out of it. A resident in one area who can’t reach another within a reasonable time frame via bus or tram is more likely to hop in their car. This has been a problem in the city, and it has negative consequences in terms of congestion, air pollution, and ultimately, ambience. Cities with more integrated transport networks fare better in this regard, as noise and air pollution decrease and public health benefits from fewer cars and traffic jams. 

KO: I can only agree. While I’m not an expert on environmental matters, it’s good to see Tallinn move in the same direction as other European capitals. Developing public transport and promoting car-free living in the city is beneficial for everyone. I see it as a step towards a more environmentally friendly future and a better quality of life for urban dwellers. It’s good for Tallinn’s image too, as it reflects a modern city that is able to move with the times. When it comes to Tallinn’s expansion, I think it will also breathe new life into the Old Port area as a place to live. Until now, this neighbourhood was a bit too isolated to be desirable. 

“For me, as a resident of Tallinn, it's truly a game changer. It brings huge benefits to the city.”  

– Kaur Orgusaar, Tallinn Resident and Commuter 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Estonia’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) has a special focus on sustainability and the clean energy transition. Coupled with funding through the REPowerEU Plan, NextGenerationEU supports the Baltic nation in reducing its dependency on old energy sources and transitioning to renewables. While the link may seem tenuous, Tallinn’s Old Port tram line follows a similar logic. It improves the city’s current transport mix, and in doing so, provides a cleaner, better way to live for the city’s inhabitants. It is but one aspect of a broader patchwork, offering insight into a country that is moving forward and gathering pace.