A full meeting of Vantaa's city council has approved the municipality's proposed tram project by a vote of 41 to 26.

The meeting lasted for more than five hours on Monday evening, with a heated discussion preceding the vote.

Vantaa's Mayor Ritva Viljanen (SDP) said she was delighted with the approval, describing it as one of the biggest in the history of the city.

"I am happy," said Viljanen, who is set to retire this year. "It's wonderful to end your career as an official with a big project."

The National Coalition Party was split on the project, while the Finns Party, Movement Now and Power Belongs to the People were all opposed.

Sakari Rokkanen (NCP), who chaired the meeting, said at the start that he hoped for constructive arguments both for and against the project.

Rokkanen himself said he regarded the tram as an expensive investment, but that it would provide substantial returns for the city.

NCP councillor Paula Lehmuskallio said she opposed the project precisely because of the state of the council's finances.

"I don't accept forced group decisions," said Lehmuskallio.

SDP, Green and Left Alliance back the tram

The Social Democrats, Greens and Leftists had already stated their support for the tram project. Those speaking in support of the tram emphasised the idea that it is an investment in the future of the municipality.

Tampere's tram project was seen as a shining example, and several councillors mentioned that it was completed ahead of schedule. Ulla Kaukola (SDP) said that no Finnish city had regretted building a tram system, but Turku may well regret not building one.

She predicted that the tram would make Vantaa more of a city and help improve services.

"Otherwise we'll become the backwater of the capital city region," said Kaukola.

Käärijä-inspired trams?

Anni Juulia Tuomainen, chair of the Vantaa youth council, was greeted with applause at several points during her speech.

She said the new transit system would make Vantaa more attractive, and without it the city risked seeming like a boring place that did not have the courage to develop itself.

"As a mode of transport, the tram is relaxing and enjoyable, and part of a sustainable city's transport network," said Tuomainen.

Hanna Valtanen (Green) hoped the new trams would be a certain colour, referencing Vantaa's most popular musical son.

"Sure it would be wonderful if we could get a Käärijä-green tram," said Valtanen.

Costs and economic uncertainty prompt discussions

Tram opponents spoke of the uncertain economic situation and the project's increased estimated costs.

In March the total cost was estimated at 606 million euros, of which Vantaa would pay some 414 million. The estimate has risen nearly 57 percent since 2019.

The Finns Party and the Christian Democrats said the idea should be dropped or returned to the city board for further consideration.

The chair of the Finns Party group, Niilo Kärki, said that Vantaa's social and healthcare services required investment. Erika Veltheim (Finns) suggested that the economic benefits of the tram were speculative, and there was no guarantee that the incoming government would provide the hoped-for state support for the project.

The geographical distribution of benefits was also raised by some in central and western Vantaa.

"It serves only some Vantaa people, but affects everyone," said Veltheim.

Marjo Vacker of Movement Now said that security questions had been overlooked.

"Everyone recognises the unrest brought by rail-based transport," said Vacker.

Milad Deghan, a YouTuber and former Finns Party councillor who is now part of the Power Belongs to the People group, said that the investment might seem like a bad decision in four decades' time.

"At this rate of technological development, within forty years' time we will have flying Tesla's running on artificial intelligence and other wonderful anti-gravitational means of transport," said Deghan.

The planned tram network will be around 19 kilometres long, running from the airport via Jumbo and Tikkurila through Hakunila and connecting with the Helsinki metro at Mellunmäki.

Construction is planned to start in autumn 2024, with the first trams running in 2029. Vantaa municipality estimates it will bring 60,000 new residents and 30,000 new jobs to the area.

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