New battery-powered trolleybuses began operating in Tallinn's public transportation system at the beginning of August, alongside network changes affecting roughly one-third of the capital's transit routes. While city officials said the first weekend passed without any major disruptions, everyday operations have highlighted shortcomings in the information available to passengers.

One public transportation user, for example, said the route information at the Vineeri stop had not been updated to reflect the new bus services. Bus No. 14 no longer stops there, having been replaced by routes 1 and 19.

"They've put up the new timetables, but the schedule for bus No. 1 makes it look like it only runs around 5 or 6 a.m., even though the app still shows the normal schedule," the resident said.

At the start of the week, bus stops along the entire length of Liivalaia tänav also lacked updated route markings.

Deputy Mayor Kristjan Jesse acknowledged that replacing the signs is a time-consuming process and asked passengers to be patient.

"There are around 500 bus stops and route maps need to be updated at roughly 1,000 stops. We placed stickers at the stops to draw attention to the fact that the route network was changing and passengers should continue to keep that in mind," Jesse said.

"Since the previous bus schedule remained in effect through the end of July, it wasn't possible to begin much earlier because that would have caused confusion. That's just the nature of a transition period. Because there are so many stops where signs need to be replaced, some work began before August 1, but some is still being completed. I believe it may still take another week or two at some stops, but we hope everything will be finished as quickly as possible. The contractors have promised they are working very actively," he added.

Beyond incomplete updates to passenger information signs, the new route network has also been affected by technical issues involving the new vehicles. Problems have included displaying route numbers on both the new trams and battery-powered trolleybuses, while drivers have also needed time to adapt to the new equipment.

"There have been some technical issues with the route number displays on the trams and trolleybuses. Some have already been resolved, while work is still ongoing on others affecting the trams. There have also been some issues with the battery-powered trolleybuses. Every new vehicle is also new for the drivers. It takes some practice and time to get used to the new vehicles, to develop the feel for operating them properly and entering the correct settings while on the route," the deputy mayor explained.

"There may still be some technical issues that need correcting, fine-tuning or adjustment, but overall things have gone well. I also have to say the drivers have done an excellent job. They've familiarized themselves with the new routes and there have been virtually no mistakes while operating on the routes," the official said.

Lack of power supply keeping electronic timetables out of stops

The city has also previously faced criticism over the lack of electronic passenger information displays at several major transit hubs, including Hobujaama and Keskturg, where passengers still cannot see real-time bus and tram departure information. Even the newly completed Bussijaam tram shelter lacks such a display.

Jesse said the main obstacle to installing the displays is inadequate electrical infrastructure. Many stops receive power only through street lighting, which is switched on after dark, meaning they do not have an independent 24-hour electricity supply.

"People sometimes see that there's electricity at a stop in the evening because the lights are on, but that power comes from the street lighting cable. During the day, power to streetlights along roads and main thoroughfares is switched off and then turned back on from a designated control point. Installing a passenger information display requires a continuous power supply at the stop," Jesse said.

He added that new electrical connections are being installed and systems are gradually being upgraded to address the lack of passenger information, though the process will take time.

In the coming weeks, the deputy mayor advised residents to plan their journeys carefully and check schedules at transport.tallinn.ee.

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