On Monday, October 21, the second phase of updates to Tallinn’s public transport network will take effect, aiming to improve connections between city districts and provide more convenient transfer options. In total, 15 bus lines will be affected by the changes.

The routes of bus lines no. 4, 12, 13, 26, 26A, and 49 will be altered; lines no. 40 and 51 as well as 54 and 47 will be merged; and lines no. 22, 47, 51, 64, and 65 will be discontinued. Two new lines, no. 25 and 48, will be introduced.

Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan emphasized that the final decisions on route changes were based on data-driven analysis as well as public feedback. “We organized meetings in all districts, and people were able to share their opinions and suggestions online. We received nearly 5,000 comments, which led to adjustments of several routes and the withdrawal of some initial plans. One positive outcome is that the new route of bus line no. 49 will make trips from Pirita to Ülemiste City 20 minutes faster. Bus no. 13 will offer a direct connection to the airport for residents of Haabersti, Lasnamäe, and Mustamäe, while Astangu and Tiskre residents will gain the long-awaited connection to the city center,” added Järvan.

The network updates are based on a comprehensive traffic model for Tallinn, which incorporates extensive data collection. This includes information on population distribution, demographics, public transport user data, and traffic patterns. Additionally, mobile positioning data and a demand matrix based on tax and customs records are considered, reflecting people's registered homes and workplaces or schools. The planning also takes into account external consultant studies, as well as citizen feedback collected during the proposal review period.

The modernization of Tallinn’s public transport network is being implemented in stages to allow residents time to adapt to the changes. The implementation of route adjustments also depends on infrastructure, as new transport hubs and adjustments to bus stop locations are needed in some areas to enable smoother transfers. The renewal of the network began in summer 2023, when nine bus lines were merged into four new lines, and minor route adjustments were made.

Information about the second phase of changes and related maps can be found at www.tallinn.ee/en/uusliinivork, while updated schedules are available on the website transport.tallinn.ee, where users can also use the trip planner to better organize their journeys.