Trams in Helsinki

Trams in Helsinki form part of the public transport system organised by Helsinki Regional Transport Authority and operated by Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (Finnish: Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy, Swedish: Huvudstadsregionens Stadstrafik Ab) in Finland's capital city of Helsinki. The trams are the main means of transport in the city center, and 56.8 million trips were made on the system in 2019.^[1][3] In addition to the older tram network, there is a single light rail line that was opened in October 2023. Although technically compatible with the tram network, the light rail line is separate from the city center tram network.^[4]

Trams in Helsinki
Logo for the city center tram network
Logo for light rail services
Artic tram on Kaivokatu in 2019
Overview
Owner	City of Helsinki
Area served	Helsinki, Espoo
Locale	Uusimaa
Transit type	Tram
Line number	1-10, 13, 15
Number of stops	344[1]
Annual ridership	56.8 million
Operation
Began operation	1891
Operator(s)	Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd
Character	At-grade street running with some segregated right-of-ways
Number of vehicles	137
Technical
System length	Line length: 110.5 km (68.7 mi) (October 2023)[1]
No. of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Minimum radius of curvature	15 m (49.2 ft)
Electrification	600 V DC overhead line, 750 V DC (line 15)[2]
Top speed	70 km/h (43 mph)

A tram running on the Helsinki tram network, 2015

History

Main article: History of trams in Helsinki

Current system

Lines

Light rail line 15 connects Keilaniemi in Espoo and Itäkeskus in Helsinki.

As of 2 September 2024^[update], the network consists of 11 individually numbered city center tram lines and one numbered light rail line. Lines 1 and 8 operate on a slightly different route during weekends when they go to the West Harbour terminal, indicated with a "T" suffix on the line number. Lines 3N and 9N are operated on a slightly modified line 3 and 9 route respectively during night time.^[5][6] The light rail line 15 is currently the only tram line in Helsinki to also reach the neighbouring city of Espoo, all other lines travel inside Helsinki only.

Helsinki tram lines as of 2 September 2024^[update]

Line		Type	From	Via	To	Maps
	1[a]	City center	Eira	Lasipalatsi, Töölö, Sörnäinen	Käpylä	Line 1(T) Legend Pohjolanaukio Metsolantie Käpylänaukio Kimmontie Koskelantie Uintikeskus Mäkelänrinne Rautalammintie Hattulantie Vallilan kirjasto Lautatarhankatu Sörnäinen Helsinginkatu Urheilutalo Linnanmäki (etelä) Kaupunginpuutarha Ooppera Töölöntori Apollonkatu Sammonkatu Hanken Luonnont. museo Lasipalatsi Ylioppilastalo Errotaja Fredrikinkatu Line 1 (weekdays only) Line 1T (weekends only) Iso Roobertinkatu Aleksanterinteatteri Viiskulma Hietalahdentori Eiran sairaala Hietalahti Perämiehenkatu Kalevankatu Telakkakatu Huutokonttori Länsiterminaali 1 Länsiterminaali 2 Continues as line 8T to Arabia This diagram: view talk edit
	1T[b]		West Harbour
	2[c]	City center	Olympia Terminal	Market Square, Central Railway Station, Kamppi, Töölö	Pasila	Line 2 Legend Messukeskus Asemapäälikönkatu Pasila station Palkkatilanportti Eläintarha Auroran sairaala Kansaneläkelaitos Ooppera Töölöntori Apollonkatu Sammonkatu Hanken Kamppi Simonkatu Rautatieasema Mikonkatu Aleksanterinkatu Senaatintori Kauppatori Eteläranta Olympiaterminaali Continues as line 3 to Meilahti This diagram: view talk edit
	3[c]	City center	Olympia Terminal	Eira, Central Railway Station, Hakaniemi	Pikku Huopalahti	Line 3 Legend Kuusitie Jalavatie Töölöntulli Auroran sairaala Eläintarha Karjalankatu Linnanmäki (pohj.) Alppila Urheilutalo Kaarlenkatu Karhupuisto Kallion virastotalo Hakaniemi Kaisaniemenpuisto Kaisaniemenkatu Rautatieasema Ylioppilastalo Erottaja Fredrikinkatu Iso Roobertinkatu Viiskulma Eiran sairaala Kapteeninkatu Neitsytpolku Kaivopuisto Olympiaterminaali Continues as line 2 to Messukeskus This diagram: view talk edit
	3N[d]				Meilahti
	4	City center	Katajanokka	Alppila	Munkkiniemi	Line 4 Legend Saunalahdentie Tiilimäki Laajalahden aukio Munkkiniemen puistotie Paciuksenkaari Meilahdentie Meilahden sairaala Töölöntulli Kansaneläkelaitos Töölön halli Route via Mannerheimintie being upgraded Töölöntori Apollonkatu Hesperian puisto Sammonkatu Hanken Kansallismuseo Luonnont. museo Lasipalatsi Ylioppilastalo Aleksanterinkatu Senaatintori Ritarihuone Tove Jannsonin puisto Kauppiaankatu Vyökatu Ulkoministeriö Katajanokan terminaali This diagram: view talk edit
	5[e]	City center	Katajanokka ferry terminal		Central Railway Station	Line 5 Legend Rautatieasema Ylioppilastalo Mikonkatu Aleksanterinkatu Senaatintori Ritarihuone Tove Jannsonin puisto Kauppiaankatu Katajanokan terminaali This diagram: view talk edit
	6	City center	Eiranranta	Central Station, Sörnäinen	Arabia	Line 6 Legend Arabianranta Arabiankatu Kumtähdenkenttä Kumpulan kampus Paavalinkirkko Vallilan varikko Hauhon puisto Lautatarhankatu Sörnäinen Lintulahti Haapaniemi Hakaniemi Kaisaniemenpuisto Kaisaniemenkatu Rautatieasema Ylioppilastalo Erottaja Fredrikinkatu Aleksanterinteatteri Hietalahdentori Telakanpuistikko Munkkisaari Eiranranta This diagram: view talk edit
	7[f]	City center	West Harbour	Central Railway Station, Kruununhaka, Sörnäinen, Pasila	Meilahti Hospital	Line 7 Legend Meilahden sairaala Töölöntulli Auroran sairaala Eläintarha Palkkatilanportti Pasila station Asemapäälikönkatu Radanrakentajantie Mäkelänrinne Rautalammintie Hattulantie Vallilan kirjasto Lautatarhankatu Sörnäinen Lintulahti Haapaniemi Hakaniemi Snellmaninkatu Kansallisarkisto Hallituskatu Senaatintori Aleksanterinkatu Mikonkatu Rautatieasema Simonkatu Kampintori Ruoholahden villat Länsilinkki Huutokonttori Länsiterminaali 1 Länsiterminaali 2 Continues as line 9 to Ilmala This diagram: view talk edit
	8[a]	City center	Jätkäsaari	Ruoholahti, Töölö, Sörnäinen	Arabia	Line 8(T) Legend Arabianranta Arabiankatu Kumtähdenkenttä Kumpulan kampus Paavalinkirkko Vallilan varikko Hauhon puisto Lautatarhankatu Sörnäinen Helsinginkatu Urheilutalo Linnanmäki (etelä) Kaupunginpuutarha Ooppera Töölöntori Apollonkatu Arkadiankatu Maria Itämerenkatu Ruoholahti Kaapelitehdas Crusellinsilta Line 8 (weekdays only) Line 8T (weekends only) Saukonpaasi Saukonkatu Kanariankatu Länsiterminaali 2 Continues as line 1T to Käpylä This diagram: view talk edit
	8T[b]		West Harbour
	9[f]	City center	West Harbour	Kamppi, Central Railway Station, Kallio, Pasila	Ilmala	Line 9(N) Legend Ilmala station Uutiskatu Eevanmäki Esterinportti Pasila station Jämsänkatu Pasilan konepaja Kotkankatu Sturenkatu Fleminginkatu Helsinginkatu Kaarlenkatu Karhupuisto Kallion virastotalo Hakaniemi Kaisaniemenpuisto Kaisaniemenkatu Rautatieasema Simonkatu Kampintori Ruoholahden villat Länsilinkki Huutokonttori Line 9 all other times Line 9N (Fri & Sat nights only) Välimerenkatu Saukonkatu Kanariankatu Länsiterminaali 1 Länsiterminaali 2 Continues as line 7 to Meilahden sairaala This diagram: view talk edit
	9N[g]		Jätkäsaari
	10	City center	Kirurgi	Lasipalatsi	Vallila	Line 10 Legend Korppaanmäki Haapalahdenkatu Kytösuontie Ruskeasuo Tilkka Kuusitie Jalavatie Töölöntulli Kansaneläkelaitos Töölön halli Route via Mannerheimintie being upgraded Töölöntori Apollonkatu Hesperian puisto Sammonkatu Hanken Kansallismuseo Luonnont. museo Lasipalatsi Ylioppilastalo Kolmikulma Johanneksenkirkko Kirurgi This diagram: view talk edit
	13	City center	Nihti	Kalasatama, Pasila	West Pasila
	15	Light rail	Keilaniemi	Otaniemi, Laajalahti, Leppävaara, Huopalahti, Oulunkylä, Viikki	Itäkeskus	Line 15 Legend Keilaniemi Otaranta Aalto-yliopisto Maari Lahdenpohja Laajalahti Linnoitustie Alberganesplanadi Leppävaara station Perkkaa Vermo Ravitie Talin siirt.puutarha Takomotie Kutomotie Vihdintie Huopalahti station Ilkantie Hämeenlinnanväylä Pirkkola Pirjontie Maunula Kustaankartano Teininpuisto Oulunkylän keskusta Oulunkylä station Veräjämäki Viikinmäki Viikin tiedepuisto Latokartano Karhukallio Kauppamyllyntie Roihupelto Itäkeskus

1. Weekdays only.
2. Weekends only.
3. Trams on lines 2 and 3 do not turn around at their shared terminus at the Olympia Terminal, but change their line signs.
4. Operates during night time only.
5. Ferry arrival and departure times only.
6. Trams on lines 7 and 9 do not turn around at their shared terminus at the West terminal, but change their line signs.
7. Operates on Friday and Saturday nights only.

In addition, the SpåraKoff pub tram has operated during the summer months since 1995.^[7]

Network

The tram network is built almost exclusively on the streets of Helsinki, making it a traditional tram system rather than light rail. The track gauge is one metre. The network consists almost entirely of double track rail. In some parts the tracks are separated from other road traffic; elsewhere they share road space with cars and buses.

The trams are powered with electricity conveyed by 600 V DC overhead wires, although the voltage is planned to be raised to 750 V in 2025.^[2] Trams have their own traffic lights, distinguished from normal lights in that they are based on symbols of single colour: an upward-pointing arrow signifies "go", a horizontal line "prepare to go/stop" and the letter S "stop". The traffic lights are synchronised to allow tram and bus traffic to flow relatively smoothly. This system is called HeLMi (Helsinki Public Transport Signal Priority and Passenger Information).^[8] Line 15 uses a different system based on inductive loops and requests from the trams themselves. Line 15's traffic lights also have a fourth aspect: a circle above the letter S, which signifies that the traffic light has acknowledged receipt of a request for the tram. On the inner-city network, a small flashing LED is provided with the S aspect.

Rolling stock

Nr I tram on line 7A.

MLNRV I tram on line 4.

SpåraKoff, the so-called "pub tram", departing from Helsinki Railway Square

As of November 2022^[update], HKL has 122 tram units in scheduled passenger service. Additionally, there are trams in reserve and in charter use. The MLNRV I and II series (rebuilt Valmet Nr I and Valmet Nr II units) and Škoda Artic series comprise the city center fleet, and the light rail line 15 uses bidirectional Škoda Artic X54 units.

In 2006–2011, all Valmet Nr II (at that point known as NRV II) vehicles underwent a major modification process in which a 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) low-floor midsection was added to the tram. The type designation was changed to MLNRV II to reflect the modifications made, and the longer trams were re-introduced in traffic gradually as the modification works were completed. During the process, HKL also rebuilt ten of the older Nr I trams (at that point known as NRV II) in the same way, which brought the total number of MLNRV trams to 52 upon completion in mid-2014.

The fully low-floor Variotram units, acquired in 1998–2003 from Adtranz (later Bombardier) and built by Transtech Oy in Otanmäki, proved to be unreliable, causing a shortage of operable trams. Starting in 2004, HKL purchased ten Duewag series second-hand trams from Mannheim in Germany to cover for the shortage.^[9] Eventually arrangements were made with Bombardier to keep a sufficient number of the units in operation. All of the Duewag units were either withdrawn or relegated to charter service by the end of 2014. All Variotrams were taken out of use in 2018 because of the problems.^[10][11]

Beginning in 2013, HKL acquired 72 new Artic trams. They have a double-articulated, eight-axle design, are 27.3 m (89 ft 7 in) long and have 74 fixed seats, 14 foldable seats and space for 75 standing passengers.^[12] The design has a 100% low floor and conventional, turning bogies designed to run without problems on Helsinki's challenging old-fashioned track network.^[13] Two prototype units were delivered in 2013, and each entered passenger service approximately two months after delivery. The first unit of the production series (out of 70), no. 403, arrived in Helsinki in January 2016. In 2018 both prototype units were sold to Schöneiche bei Berlin tramway.^[14]

Helsinki City Transport, the predecessor of Metropolitan Area Transport, has ordered 29 Artic X54 units for line 15, of which 15 are in service,^{[as of?]} and 23 for the Crown Bridges light rail lines. The first prototype unit arrived in Helsinki in April 2021.^[15][16]

Metropolitan Area Transport announced a tender in October 2023 to acquire new rolling stock to replace the aging MLNRV fleet and to support new services such as the Vantaa light rail. The procurement includes 30 unidirectional and 33 bi-directional units and is estimated to be valued at €1.6 billion.^[17]

Rolling stock as of November 2022^[update][18]

Model	Type	No. of units	Car #	Built	Acquired	Modified	Seats	Standees	L	W	H
MLNRV I (Valmet Nr I)	City center	10	113–122	1973–75	1973–75	1993–2003, 2005, 2012–14	49	120	26.5	2.3	3.7
MLNRV II (Valmet Nr II)	City center	42	71–112	1983–87	1983–87	1996–2006, 2008–12	49	120	26.5	2.3	3.7
Škoda Transtech Artic	City center	70	403–472	2012–2019	2013–2019		88	125	27.6	2.4	3.8
Škoda Transtech Artic X54	Light rail	20 (32 more total on order)	601-652	2019–	2021–		78+4	136	34.0	2.4	3.8
Totals		122					8,708	14,990

Former rolling stock

Tram type	No. of units	Car #	Built	Acquired	Modified	Seats	Standees	L	W	H
HRO A9	1	1[A]	1917	2007	2007	28	0	11.5	2.2
HRO A7	1	135	1928	1928	1988	21	26	10.2	2.1	3.7
HRO A4	1	157	1930	1930	1987	21	26	10.2	2.1	3.7
Karia HM IV	1	320	1955	1955	1985	29	69	13.5	2.3	3.6
Valmet RM 1	2	332, 339[B]	1955	1955	1987, 2003–04	29	69	13.5	2.3	3.6
Karia HM V	6	9–14, 175[C]	1959	1959	2004–07	31	57	13.5	2.3	3.6
Duewag GT8N	1	166	1962, 1964	2007–08	1991–92	55	120	25.7	2.2	3.8
Duewag GT8	1	150	1967	2004	1970, 2004	64	140	25.7	2.2	3.8
NRV (Valmet Nr I)	30	31–70	1973–75	1973–75	1993–2003, 2005	39	106	20.1	2.3	3.7
MLRV Bombardier Variotram	40	201–240	1998–2003	1998–2003		55	80	24.4	2.3	3.7
Škoda Transtech Artic (Prototype)	2	401-402	2013	2013		88	125	27.6	2.4	3.8

1. A replica of Brändö Spårvägs Ab tram number 1 from 1917.
2. Number 339 is owned by Oy Stadin Ratikat Ab.
3. Number 175, SpåraKoff, is a mobile bar.

Depots

Töölö tram depot.

As of April 2023^[update], there are several tram depots and workshops in Helsinki. The city center tram services currently use Töölö and Koskela and a maintenance facility in Vallila. A new depot for 100 trams and 200 buses is being built in Ruskeasuo and the new depot, combined with a rebuild of the aging Koskela depot, is planned to eventually fully replace the Töölö and Vallila facilities.^{[19][20][21][22]}

Line 15 (Jokeri light rail) has a separate depot in Roihupelto.^[23] The Crown Bridges light rail lines will have as separate depot constructed in Yliskylä, originally due to be completed in 2026.^[24][25]

Planned extension of the network

Main article: Planned tram projects in Helsinki

See also

• Helsinki Metro
• Trams in Finland
  • Tampere light rail

References

1. "Vuosikertomus 2023" [Annual report 2023] (PDF). Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (in Finnish). 2023-04-28. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2023-08-02.
2. Karhu, Otso (2024-01-04). "Raitiokiskoille saapuu viiden miljoonan euron kotimainen "banaani", joka hioo, putsaa ja liikkuu kahteen suuntaan". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-06.
3. "Matkustajamäärät 1.1.-31.12.2022" [Ridership numbers] (PDF). Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (in Finnish). 2022-12-31. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
4. "Päätös antaa pikaratikalle numero 15 kuohuttaa helsinkiläisiä – Näin HSL vastaa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
5. Holappa, Marika (2024-08-11). "Joukkoliikenne | HSL:n liikennöintiin muutoksia maanantaista alkaen – Luvassa muun muassa uusia linjoja". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
6. "Näin ratikkareitit muuttuivat 2.9. – Mannerheimintien peruskorjauksen seuraava vaihe alkaa". HSL (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-09-19.
7. Moilanen, Kaisu (2015-05-07). "Keskiolutta raitiovaunussa! – Spårakoff oli ilmestyessään suuri nähtävyys, jossa on kosittu ja vietetty häitä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
8. Helsinki Urban Traffic Control Centre
9. Alku, Antero (2007-07-13). "Düwag GT6". www.kaupunkiliikenne.net. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
10. Nieminen, Tommi (2000-09-02). "Ratikkaliikenne jatkuu Arabianrantaan asti". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
11. Salomaa, Marja (2017-08-22). "HKL hankkiutuu eroon vanhoista matalalattiaraitiovaunuista – Bombardier maksaa korvauksia 33 miljoonaa euroa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
12. "Transtech toimittaa uudet raitiovaunut". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). 2010-12-02. Retrieved 2024-01-01.
13. Malmberg, Lari (2016-01-02). "Tervetuloa hiljainen raitiovaunukyyti – ensimmäinen Artic-raitiovaunu saapuu Helsinkiin kahden viikon päästä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
14. Järvinen, Katariina (2022-06-25). "Berliinin reunamilla voi nähdä yllättävän tutun raitiovaunun – Miksi helsinkiläinen ratikka ajelee pitkin saksalaisen pikkukunnan katuja?". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
15. Salomaa, Marja (2021-04-22). "Tältä näyttää tulevaisuuden ratikka, joka kiitää Raide-Jokerin ja Kruunusiltojen kiskoilla". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
16. Heikkonen, Tanja (2021-04-09). "Ensimmäinen pikaratikka matkaa perjantaina Kajaanista Helsinkiin – tulevia käyttökokemuksia hyödynnetään loppujen tuotannossa". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
17. Preston, Robert (2023-10-13). "Helsinki launches €1.6bn tender for 63 new LRVs". International Railway Journal.
18. "Raitiovaunut tänään (Helsingin seutu)". Suomen Raitiotieseura ry (Finnish Tramway Society) (in Finnish). 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
19. Takala, Sami (2022-07-05). "Helsingin Ruskeasuolle rakennetaan jättimäinen raitiovaunujen ja bussien varikko". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
20. Pannanen, Veera (2021-11-16). "Koskelan raitiovaunuvarikon kaarihalliin suunnitellaan "kiertotalouskorttelia"". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
21. Oksanen, Kimmo (2023-04-27). "Keskellä Helsinkiä sijaitsee työpaikka, jota joskus luullaan museoksi – Silti loppu jo häämöttää". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
22. Kirsi, Katri (2020-12-03). "HKL laittaa 360 miljoonaa raitiovaunuvarikoihin – Ylen saama selvitys paljastaa: Varikkotilat silti liian pienet?". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
23. Jahromi, Bijan Rezai (2022-09-09). "Raide-Jokerin varikko valmistui". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
24. Bäckgren, Noona (2020-11-04). "Helsingin kaupunginvaltuusto hyväksyi murskaenemmistöllä Kruunusiltoihin liittyvän Laajasalon hybridivarikon rakentamisen". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
25. Valtanen, Tero (2021-06-09). "Helsingin Kruunusillat-raitiotiehankkeen hinta tuplaantui 800 miljoonaan euroon, nyt pormestari Vapaavuori vaatii selitystä tilanteelle". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.

Bibliography

Miscellaneous

• "Helsinki Public Transport Signal Priority and Passenger Information (HeLMi)". Public Transport Telematics. Helsinki Urban Traffic Control Centre. Archived from the original on 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2008-08-15.

External links

• Transport by tram on the Metropolitan Area Transport website