According to a survey conducted last autumn, 87% of Tallinn residents are satisfied with the living environment in the city. Of these, 23% are very satisfied. This figure is lower than a year ago, when 94% of people were satisfied. It is the lowest level of satisfaction in ten years.
In the city center, there are better bicycle parking facilities. However, traffic culture, car parking, public transport, and waste management have been rated worse. In winter, road maintenance is poor, with only 38-39% of people satisfied. Traffic safety has also declined for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
The survey was conducted in August-September. It does not show how the new city government coped with winter, for example, with street cleaning. Deputy Mayor Pärtel-Peeter Pere said that people's demands have increased. People want better urban space, less noise, more greenery, and smoother traffic.
Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan said that 30% of people are satisfied with parking. The city government must decide whether to invest more in things that people are not satisfied with.
Tallinn also has a problem with traffic safety. Pere said that Tallinn is not pedestrian-friendly. For example, there is a problem with scooters that tend to speed by. Järvan added that the number of road users is increasing, which makes people nervous and worsens traffic culture.
Public transport is a mixed bag. 84% of Tallinn residents are satisfied with public transport. However, 62% think it has remained the same, and 13% think it has worsened. The problems are unpleasant fellow passengers, the route network, and schedules. The survey did not yet reflect the changes to the route network made later.
Public transport involves many transfers. 38% of passengers have to transfer. For most, it takes up to 10 minutes, for a third, longer. Järvan said that changes to the route network may create more transfers but also help those who previously did not have a suitable route.
Major roadworks have affected the decline in satisfaction. Pere said that the city has done a lot to ensure that roadworks do not disrupt traffic. For example, a notification system has been created, and roads are repaired less during peak hours.