The capital of Estonia is a very well-maintained and comfortable city to live in. Its well-thought-out infrastructure and well-established traffic on the streets provide comfortable traffic for both pedestrians, passengers and vehicle drivers. An important role in this system is played by Tallinn public transport. It includes buses, trolleybuses, trams, as well as ferries and local trains.
Historical facts
Tallinn public transport has developed gradually and has a very interesting history. In the city, most trams, buses and trolleybuses are operated by Tallinna Linnatranspordi AS, and only a few lines are subordinate to Linna Liinid. As for the first company, it arose in 2012 against the background of the merger of several enterprises at once. Previously, one of the companies was engaged exclusively in bus transportation, and the second in the department had trolley buses and trams. Later they decided to combine and create a unified system of urban transport management of three types.
As you know, the first tram route was opened back in 1888. It was a kind of horse-rail. In 2008, it was 120 years since the residents of the capital saw the first Tallinn tram on the street.
The situation with trolleybuses was a little different - they wanted to be put into motion in 1946. However, by coincidence, the first routes appeared almost 20 years later - in 1965. Gradually, the trolleybus network expanded and consisted of nine routes, but later their number was reduced due to loss-making. Today in the city there are only four trolleybus lines.
Railway
A railway station is located in the northern part of Tallinn's Old Town , from where commuter trains depart. Elron operates diesel trains and electric trains. Passenger transportation by electric train is carried out to Paldiski, Keila (in the western direction), Aegviidu (in the eastern direction). You can take a diesel train from Tallinn to Viljandi, Narva, Tartu, etc. As practice has shown, it is more profitable to use electric trains that do not need diesel fuel. The reason for this is that the last one is getting more expensive every year, which leads to higher fares.
Free pass
By a special order of January 1, 2013, all public transport in Tallinn became free for residents of the capital. This applies to persons officially registered in the city. Also, students who are under the age of 19, and all groups of beneficiaries who had this right before, also have the right to travel free of charge. In addition, the city authorities decided to cancel the travel documents printed on paper and instead introduce plastic contactless cards . They need to be registered when you enter the vehicle using a special validator (or registrar). If such a card is not available, the passenger can safely buy a one-time ticket directly from the driver.
Buses
As in any city, the Estonian public transport in Tallinn is very popular. As well as tourists and simply guests of the country do not refuse a cozy and clean transfer. The bus in Tallinn is most in demand due to its high-speed ride and the ability to get to absolutely anywhere in the city. Confirmation of this is the availability of 73 bus routes. Mostly cars of such brands as Volvo, Iveco, MAN, Scania and others are used. The bus runs through the streets of the city from 5:20 to 0:20. There are also so-called express routes that operate during rush hour: in the morning from ten to eleven and in the afternoon from two to three in the afternoon. If earlier the fare on the regular route and the express was different, then in September 2012 it was made identical. The main company that manages bus transportation is Tallinn City Transport.
The movement of suburban buses
Besides the fact that a bus in Tallinn runs around the city, there are suburban bus services. They are supervised by the Harju County Public Transport Center, which has another fifty commercial routes. The county is now divided into four parts (zones), namely: the first part is the city of Tallinn itself, the second is its suburb. Further, the fare is calculated based on the distance to the capital. According to old tariffs, the longer the distance, the higher the fare. Then, in 2008, such rates changed to new ones: 12 local crowns costs a ticket in the area of one zone, and when moving to another, another 10 crowns must be added.
Trams
It is noteworthy that only urban transport in Tallinn includes trams - there are no such vehicles in Estonia anymore. On the first electric tram, residents were able to ride in 1925, and before that they had the opportunity to get in the right direction on a steam tram. The latter was launched in 1915 along a wide track, which ran from a shipbuilding enterprise to Telliskivi Street. Later, this track was changed under modern means.
The tram network is not very long; it connects the central part of the city with other areas. So, there are four routes in total, where 3 car models are presented for use by passengers, among which the most recent are CAF Urbos AXL. Rutting starts at almost five in the morning and ends at midnight. Two tram depots (Central and Copley) operate in the city. On the territory of the Central Depot, wagons are being repaired, there are ways for parking and an interesting place for tourists - the tram museum.
Trolleybuses
The very first Tallinn trolley bus drove in July 1965 along the only route Theater - Hippodrome. Since then, the network has expanded to nine routes, and then was reduced again. Currently, trolleybuses run in the western part of Tallinn, in particular, in the Haabersti and Mustamäe districts. You can take a trolleybus from Mustamäe to Kaubamaj and Balti Jaam, as well as from Keskuse to Balti Jaam.
Railway transport
Harju County residents often use commuter trains to travel to Tallinn due to the convenient location of stations and stops. It is noteworthy that railway transport is free for officially registered residents of the capital, but within only one zone: to Wesse in the east, Laagri in the west, and Männiku in the southwest.
Ferry crossings
The capital of Estonia is distinguished by the fact that there are ferry services. Such communication is carried out with the island of Aegna. There are few people living on this island, so for the most part tourists and visitors cross the ferries.
Ferries operate exclusively during the summer season. Tourists need to pay for the fare, and local residents can use the transportation for free.