In Tallinn, the operations at the city's public transport depot start as early as midnight to prepare for the first buses that depart at 4:20 AM. On a typical morning, the Tallinn Urban Transport's (TLT) depot is bustling with activity, where up to 300 buses and 46 trams are dispatched, ensuring that public transport services remain available. According to TLT board member Kaido Padar, the city's contract requires that 99.8% of the transport lines must be operational, necessitating that 15 reserve drivers and buses are maintained every day.

Currently, Tallinn experiences a seasonal increase in illness among drivers, which poses a challenge to maintaining this service level. The previous Monday saw 17 drivers sick, and by Tuesday morning, 16 tram drivers were reported ill. This situation leads to a constant state of emergency within TLT, especially given the extremely low temperatures, which hover around -10 degrees Celsius. To mitigate service disruptions, special preparations are in place, such as ensuring that all diesel bus engines are running to avoid delays, as gas buses cannot be started early.

The city transit authority faces the dual challenge of managing human resources effectively to combat illness while also navigating harsh winter conditions. As public transport is crucial for many residents of Tallinn, the emphasis on maintaining service reliability highlights the city's commitment to transportation accessibility despite operational hurdles. Such conditions shed light on the resilience of urban transport systems during challenging times, reflecting broader implications for public service management in cities experiencing similar winter hardships.