Planning park-and-ride for Tampere’s next tramway extension

Guidance for intermodal mobility in a growing tram network

As Tampere, Finland, plans its next tramway extension between Lielahti and Ylöjärvi, park-and-ride will be important in supporting efficient intermodal travel and broader congestion management. AFRY supports the project with long-term planning recommendations for the future tram corridor.

The tramway extension toward Ylöjärvi is a key step in strengthening public transportation across the Tampere region. Planned as the next phase of the network after Lentävänniemi, the extension is expected to become operational in the mid-2030s, subject to funding and permits.

These facilities are intended to shift car traffic away from the city center, improve accessibility for areas not served by public transportation, and make public transportation a competitive option for everyday travel.

Clear objectives for long-term impact

AFRY’s assignment focused on developing practical and scalable recommendations for implementing park-and-ride along the Hiedanranta–Ylöjärvi tram line, aligned with the phased development of surrounding land use.

The objectives were to:

Encourage public transportation use for the main part of journeys
Reduce congestion and emissions in central Tampere
Improve accessibility for residents outside the urban core
Use urban space more efficiently by reducing the need for central parking

Park-and-Ride in Manchester, England.

Insights that shape better decisions

The study combined international experience, user insight, and real-world data to understand how park-and-ride should function in the Tampere intermodal transportation system.

User research in the Hiedanranta–Ylöjärvi area showed strong interest in park-and-ride solutions, particularly in connection with an expanded tram network. Many users indicated they would change travel behavior if reliable, frequent public transportation options were available, including parking farther from the city or switching entirely to public transportation.

This highlighted the importance of tailoring park-and-ride solutions to local conditions — not only in terms of infrastructure planning, but also parking regulation, operational practices, and an understanding of the broader parking market — rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

The aim of the study was to identify development opportunities for a regional park-and-ride system across municipal boundaries. The work provided detailed and practical insights into current usage, user origins, and expected future travel behavior. It also resulted in concrete proposals for site selection, capacity, and the long-term management of the park-and-ride system. The study was carried out in close cooperation, and an excellent master’s thesis was completed as part of the work.

— Ville-Mikael Tuominen, Development Director at Tampere Tramway Ltd.

Park-and-ride in Tampere, Finland.

A practical tool for future planning

A key outcome of the project was a systematic evaluation tool for assessing park-and-ride locations along the tram corridor. The tool supports consistent and transparent decision-making by comparing sites based on factors such as accessibility, location, development potential, and integration with land-use plans.

Designed for reuse, the tool can support future park-and-ride planning as the tram network expands and intermodal travel behavior evolves, while recognizing the importance of local context and the need to apply solutions accordingly.

From analysis to action

The study resulted in clear recommendations for how park-and-ride facilities should be located, organized, regulated, and developed over time along the Lielahti–Ylöjärvi tram line.

By focusing on user behavior, scalability, and long-term mobility goals, AFRY’s work provides a strong foundation for park-and-ride solutions that support eco-friendly intermodal mobility across the Tampere region.

It was great to work on such a timely topic, especially knowing that the results will genuinely support the development of park-and-ride solutions in the Tampere region. One of the key challenges was the uncertainty around long-term land-use development, which strongly influences what kinds of park-and-ride solutions make sense and how much capacity should be built.

— Laura Mansikkamäki, Project manager at AFRY