About VMT

Our History

The story of VMT begins in 1919, when the newly independent Republic of Velathos recognised that its growing capital needed a modern transit system. The island city, spread across the main island of Velathos and the neighbouring islets of Saaremaa and Kaluri, had relied on horse-drawn carriages and private boats since the 18th century.

Construction of the first metro line began in 1921, tunnelling through the volcanic basalt beneath Keskväljak. The Punane Liin (Red Line) opened on 14 March 1923, running between the newly built Keskväljak station and the harbour at Vanasadam. It carried 12,000 passengers on its first day.

The tram network followed in 1931, connecting the old town with the expanding southern suburbs. The ferry service was integrated into VMT in 1954, replacing the private Saaremaa Steam Company. The funicular to Kindlusemägi, the fortress hill that crowns the city, opened in 1968 and remains one of the most popular tourist attractions.

The most recent expansion, the Sinine Liin (Blue Line), was completed in 2008, extending metro service to the southern districts and the Lõunakeskus commercial centre. Today, VMT operates 127 vehicles and employs 1,840 staff across operations, maintenance, and administration.

Accessibility

VMT is committed to making public transit accessible to everyone. Eighteen of our 21 stations offer step-free access from street to platform, with lifts, ramps, and tactile guidance strips for visually impaired passengers. All metro and tram vehicles are low-floor, with dedicated spaces for wheelchairs and priority seating.

Three stations — Põhja park, Kaluriküla, and Kindlusemägi — currently have limited accessibility due to their historic construction. Põhja park is undergoing platform extension works that will include full step-free access by 2027. Kaluriküla and Kindlusemägi are served by on-demand shuttle buses for passengers with mobility needs.

Audio announcements are provided on all vehicles and at all stations. Visual display boards show real-time departure information. Our staff receive annual disability awareness training, and assistance can be booked 24 hours in advance by calling our accessibility line on +394 21 847 2210.

Governance

VMT is a statutory corporation established under the Velathos Transit Act of 1922. We are governed by a board of nine directors appointed by the Velathos City Council and the Ministry of Transport. Our current Chief Executive is Dr. Marika Saar, who has led the authority since 2019.

Annual reports, financial statements, and board meeting minutes are published on our transparency portal. Public consultations are held before any significant service changes or fare adjustments.

Sustainability

All VMT metro and tram services are powered by electricity from the Ketharan Isles' renewable energy grid, which is 87% sourced from wind, tidal, and geothermal generation. Our ferry fleet is undergoing conversion to hybrid electric-diesel propulsion, with full electric operation expected by 2028.

VMT's headquarters at Transpordi Maja achieved BREEAM Excellent certification in 2021. We have reduced our operational carbon footprint by 34% since 2015 and are on track for net-zero operations by 2030.