Trams in Turku
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Turku tramway network was the first tram system to be operated in Finland, and was the second-to-last first generation tram system in Finland. It was operated as horse tramway from 1890 until 1892, and as an electrified tramway from 1908 until 1972. Prior to 1919 the tram system was owned by private interests, and from that year onwards by the City of Turku until closure of the system.[1]
Turku tramway network | |||
---|---|---|---|
Overview | |||
Locale | Turku, Finland | ||
Transit type | Tramway | ||
Number of lines | 4 | ||
Operation | |||
Began operation | 1890 (horse tram), 1908 (electric tram) | ||
Ended operation | 1892 (horse tram), 1972 (electric tram) | ||
Technical | |||
Track gauge | 1908–1972: 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) | ||
Old gauge | 1890–1908: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) | ||
|
The possible recreation of the tram network and/or a creation of a light rail network have been discussed since the (second) closure of the tram system in 1972.[2] In December 2009 the Turku City Council made the decision that a light rail system (Finnish: pikaraitiotie, "fast tramway") system would be realised in the city after an intermediate phase of bus rapid transit.[3]