
Super bus the most attractive choice
Based on the comparisons, a two-branched Varissuo-Runosmäki tram line would be socioeconomically cost-effective and would best meet the objectives set by the Turku City Board. However, the super bus would be even more cost-effective than the tramway in relation to both the social and municipal economies. The super bus could function as a transition towards the tramway.
The estimated costs of the Turku tramway investments are 303 million euros. The estimate roughly corresponds to the average of Middle Europe, but the costs for Turku are higher than that of a similar project for Tampere. This results from the costs of archeological excavations, clayey subgrade and cleaning of contaminated land, among other things. Also the calculation method is slightly different.
A plan has been made for extending the tramway into a regional system. The extended lines with most potential would run via Satakunnantie to Raisio, and from Skanssi via Pyhän Katariinantie to Kaarina.
Everyone interested in the tramway general plan can voice their opinions by 8 June 2015 at www.turunraitiotie.info. After the comments the Turku City Council will make a decision in the early autumn 2015 about continuing the designing.