[6] Due to the city's population increase, the idea of building a tramway in Turku resurfaced during the first years of the 20th century.

[9] The new traffic form gained high popularity, and passenger numbers grew steadily until the beginning of World War I.

[7] Following the end of the war and the subsequent Finnish independence, control of the tramway was returned to Electricitätswerk Åbo AG.

As a result, the distribution of electricity was disturbed, and the tram network was inoperative due to lack of power for 87 days.

Plans were made during the earlier half of the 1920s for expansion of the tram network, but the poor post-war financial situation meant these could not be realised.

A committee was set in 1931 to investigate the future of city-maintained public transport in Turku, which recommended that the tram network be expanded and the city should not, for the time being, start its own bus operations.

[11][13] The expansion of the tram network resulted in higher passenger numbers, which necessitated the acquisition of new rolling stock.

[13] Tram operations continued throughout World War II, with passenger numbers greatly exceeding those during peace-time.

[17] In 1950 an experiment was carried out to give up having separate conductors in trams and have the driver sell tickets in order to cut costs.

Although the city transport department was pleased with the experiment, it was terminated within the same year partially due to pressure from the tram staff.

Unfortunately these were not realised,[20][21] apart from a short expansion of line 2 completed in 1956 with a light rail -type track entirely separated from street traffic.

[20] During the latter part of the 50s passenger numbers started declining again, and a committee formed in 1959 found that under the current financial circumstances the expansion of the tram network was impossible to realise.

However, the committee also stated the expansion of the network was necessary in the long run, and the needs of light rail lines should be taken into account in city planning.

Additionally the committee suggested, again, ceasing the usage of conductors in trams in favour of ticket-selling by the driver in order to cut costs.

By this time the city decision-makers were uninterested in developing or even maintaining the tram network, and as a result the committee's recommendations were not acted on.

[20] By the beginning of the 1960s it was clear that the tram network could become profitable again only if it was expanded to the more lucrative suburban routes dominated by the private bus operators.

Additionally, most of the rolling stock dated from before or during World War II, and were nearing the end of their lifespan, which meant that sizeable investment would be needed to keep the trams operational.

[24] Following the termination of line 1 in 1967, two additional committees was set to investigate the future of the city's public transport department, but neither arrived at any new conclusions.

The last tram—carrying nearly two hundred passengers although certified for only 50—departed from the terminus stop on 23:30 Eastern European Time, and completed its circle at 23:54, marking the end of tram service in Turku.

[29] The termination of tram traffic also led to a drop in passenger numbers on the city-operated public transport network, despite the growth of the city that took place at the same time.

On 4 December 2000 the Turku municipal executive committee ordered a preliminary study to be made about the possible construction of a light rail system in the city, replacing the most popular bus connections that are already running at maximal capacity.

The goal is to present a solution for the creation of an efficient, attractive and uniform public transport system for Turku and the neighbouring cities.

[39][41] Phase 2 would be completed after 2020, coinciding with new residential development in Raisio and Kaarina, and would include a third line Kaarina–central Turku–Raisio and an extension of the Varissuo–Central railway station to the Port of Turku.

Planning for the project is ongoing, and a final decision on its construction is expected in late 2025, pending approval by the Turku city council.

By 2050, it is estimated that approximately 30% of Turku's population, 46% of its jobs, and 42% of residential developments will be located within 600 meters of a tram stop.

A key focus of the tram line project is improving connectivity between the Varissuo district and the rest of the city.