Helsinki tram network

The Helsinki tram network forms part of the Helsinki 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 centre, and 56.8 million trips were made on the system in 2019.[2][4] 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 tram network.[5]

Helsinki tramway network
The logo for the city-centre tram network
The logo for the city-centre tram network
The logo for light rail line 15
The logo for light rail line 15
Old Valmet tram in Helsinki
Old Valmet tram in Helsinki
Overview
OwnerCity of Helsinki
Area servedHelsinki, Espoo
LocaleUusimaa
Transit typeTram
Number of lines11[1]
Line number1-10, 15
Number of stations344[2]
Annual ridership56.8 million
Operation
Began operation1891
Operator(s)Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd
CharacterAt-grade street running with some segregated right-of-ways
Number of vehicles137
Technical
System lengthLine length: 110.5 km (68.7 mi) (October 2023)[2]
No. of tracks2
Track gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Minimum radius of curvature15 m (49.2 ft)
Electrification600 V DC overhead line[3], 750 V DC (line 15)
Top speed70km/h

History
Main article: History of the Helsinki tram system

Current system

Lines
Tram line 5 runs between the Katajanokka ferry terminal and Helsinki central railway station. It serves primarily to help unload passengers from arriving ships.

As of 21 October 2023, the network consists of eleven individually numbered lines, plus weekend-only lines 1T and 8T. In addition, starting on 14 August 2023, line 9N runs on a slightly modified route of line 9 during early Saturday and Sunday morning.[1][6]

Helsinki tram lines as of 23 October 2023
Designation From Via To
1[lower-alpha 1] Eira Lasipalatsi, Töölö, Sörnäinen Käpylä
1T[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] Eira Lasipalatsi, Töölö, Sörnäinen West Harbour
2[lower-alpha 4] Olympia Terminal Market Square, Central Railway Station, Kamppi, Töölö, Eläintarha Messukeskus
3[lower-alpha 4] Eira, Central Railway Station, Hakaniemi Meilahti
4 Katajanokka Töölö Munkkiniemi
5[lower-alpha 5] Katajanokka ferry terminal Central Railway Station
6 Eiranranta Central Station, Sörnäinen Arabia
7[lower-alpha 6] West Harbour Kallio, Central Railway Station, Kruununhaka, Sörnäinen, Mäkelänkatu, Pasila Länsi-Pasila
8[lower-alpha 1] Jätkäsaari Ruoholahti, Töölö, Sörnäinen Arabia
8[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] West Harbour Ruoholahti, Töölö, Sörnäinen Arabia
9[lower-alpha 6] West Harbour Jätkäsaari, Kamppi, Central Railway Station, Kallio, Pasila Ilmala
10 Kirurgi Töölö Pikku Huopalahti
15 Keilaniemi (M) Otaniemi, Laajalahti, Leppävaara, Huopalahti, Oulunkylä, Viikki Itäkeskus (M)
  1. Weekdays only
  2. Weekends only
  3. Trams on lines 1T and 8T do not turn around at their shared terminus at the West Harbour, but change their line signs.
  4. Trams on lines 2 and 3 do not turn around at their shared terminus at the Olympia Terminal, but change their line signs.
  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.

In addition to the 11 regular lines two special ones exist: the museum line operated by Helsinki City Transport in collaboration with Oy Stadin Ratikat Ab[7] and the Spårakoff pub tram, both of which run during the summer months. These lines do not appear in the route map included with this article.

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 overhead wires. 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 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]

Rolling stock
Nr I tram on line 7A.
MLNRV I tram on line 4.
Artic tram on line 4.

As of November 2022, 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 current backbone of the fleet.

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. 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.[9]

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.[10] The design has a 100% low floor and conventional, turning bogies designed to run without problems on Helsinki's challenging old-fashioned track network.[11] Two prototype units were delivered in 2013, and each entered passenger service approximately two months after delivery. In 2018 both prototype units were sold to Schöneiche bei Berlin tramway.

The first unit of the production series (out of 70), no. 403, arrived in Helsinki in January 2016.

HKL has ordered 29 Artic X54 units for line 15, of which 15 are in service, and 23 for the Crown Bridges light rail lines. The first prototype unit arrived in Helsinki in April 2021.[12][13]

Rolling stock as of November 2022[14]
Tram type No. of units Car # Built Acquired Modified Seats Standees L W H
MLNRV I (Valmet Nr I) 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) 42 71–112 1983–87 1983–87 1996–2006, 2008–12 49 120 26.5 2.3 3.7
Škoda Transtech Artic 70 403–472 2012–2019 2013–2019 88 125 27.6 2.4 3.8
Škoda Transtech Artic X54 17 (52 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[upper-alpha 1] 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[upper-alpha 2] 1955 1955 1987, 2003–04 29 69 13.5 2.3 3.6
Karia HM V 6 9–14, 175[upper-alpha 3] 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, 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.[15][16][17][18]

Line 15 (Jokeri light rail) has a separate depot in Roihupelto.[19] The Crown Bridges light rail lines will have as separate depot constructed in Yliskylä, originally due to be completed in 2026.[20][21]

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

Planned extension of the network
Main article: Planned extension of the Helsinki tram network

See also

References
  1. Palkoaho, Milla (2023-08-01). "Osa ratikoista muuttaa jälleen reittiään Helsingissä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  2. "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.
  3. "HKL Tram Traffic". SRS. Archived from the original on 2010-12-19. Retrieved 2010-10-12.
  4. "Matkustajamäärät 1.1.-31.12.2022" [Ridership numbers] (PDF). Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd (in Finnish). 2022-12-31. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  5. "Päätös antaa pikaratikalle numero 15 kuohuttaa helsinkiläisiä – Näin HSL vastaa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  6. Pietiläinen, Jari (2023-08-01). "Raitiovaunujen kulkuun isoja muutoksia – yöratikka 9N aloittaa kahden viikon päästä". Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  7. Stadin Ratikat
  8. Helsinki Urban Traffic Control Centre
  9. Salomaa, Marja (2017-08-22). "HKL hankkiutuu eroon vanhoista matalalattiaraitiovaunuista – Bombardier maksaa korvauksia 33 miljoonaa euroa". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  10. Helsingin kaupungin liikennelaitos
  11. Malmberg, Lari (2016-01-02). "Tervetuloa hiljainen raitiovaunukyyti – ensimmäinen Artic-raitiovaunu saapuu Helsinkiin kahden viikon päästä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  12. Salomaa, Marja (2021-04-22). "Tältä näyttää tulevaisuuden ratikka, joka kiitää Raide-Jokerin ja Kruunusiltojen kiskoilla". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  13. Heikkonen, Tanja (2021-04-09). "Ensimmäinen pikaratikka matkaa perjantaina Kajaanista Helsinkiin – tulevia käyttökokemuksia hyödynnetään loppujen tuotannossa". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  14. "Raitiovaunut tänään (Helsingin seutu)". Suomen Raitiotieseura ry (Finnish Tramway Society) (in Finnish). 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  15. Takala, Sami (2022-07-05). "Helsingin Ruskeasuolle rakennetaan jättimäinen raitiovaunujen ja bussien varikko". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  16. Pannanen, Veera (2021-11-16). "Koskelan raitiovaunuvarikon kaarihalliin suunnitellaan "kiertotalouskorttelia"". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  17. 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.
  18. 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.
  19. Jahromi, Bijan Rezai (2022-09-09). "Raide-Jokerin varikko valmistui". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  20. Bäckgren, Noona (2020-11-04). "Helsingin kaupunginvaltuusto hyväksyi murskaenemmistöllä Kruunusiltoihin liittyvän Laajasalon hybridivarikon rakentamisen". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-08-01.
  21. 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

Helsinki City Transport

Helsingin Sanomat

Miscellaneous

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