Tallinn proposes banning taxis and EVs from bus lanes

The City of Tallinn has proposed removing a provision from traffic law that currently allows taxis and electric vehicles to use public transport lanes. The move aims to improve the efficiency of bus and tram services in the capital.

Tallinn city authorities have formally proposed amending Estonia's Traffic Act to remove the current exemption that permits taxis and electric vehicles to use dedicated public transport lanes alongside buses and trams.

Under existing legislation, taxis and electric cars enjoy the right to travel in bus lanes — a rule that Tallinn argues undermines the purpose of dedicated transit corridors. The city believes that the growing number of vehicles taking advantage of this exemption is slowing down public transport and reducing its reliability for everyday commuters.

By pushing for the removal of this provision, Tallinn hopes to restore priority access on key corridors to buses and trams, making scheduled services faster and more predictable. City officials argue that reliable public transport is essential for reducing overall traffic congestion across the capital.

The proposal will need to be considered at the national level, as changes to the Traffic Act fall under the jurisdiction of the central government and the Riigikogu. It remains to be seen whether the initiative will gain sufficient legislative support to move forward.