Tallinn plans to buy double-cab trams that can reverse without turning loops

The City of Tallinn wants to purchase trams equipped with two driver cabins and doors on both sides, allowing them to reverse direction at the end of a line without needing a turning loop. The design mirrors how trains operate on rail networks.

Tallinn is planning to procure a new type of tram for its public transport network — one fitted with driver cabins at both ends and doors that open on either side of the vehicle.

The key advantage of this configuration is that trams could simply reverse at the end of a line without requiring a dedicated turning loop. The concept mirrors how trains operate, where the driver moves from one end of the vehicle to the other to begin the return journey.

Such a design could offer significant flexibility in urban planning terms, as loop infrastructure at tram terminals takes up considerable space in the city. Eliminating that requirement could free up land or simplify the expansion of tram routes into areas where loop construction would be difficult or costly.

Tallinn's tram network is one of the city's main public transport arteries, serving numerous routes across the capital. The city has been gradually modernising its fleet in recent years, and this latest procurement ambition represents a further step towards more efficient and versatile urban transit solutions.