Helsinki tram

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Helsinki tram
Info
Locale	Helsinki, Finland
Transit type	Tram
Number of lines	12
Daily ridership	200,000 (weekdays)[1]
Operation
Began operation	1891
Operator(s)	Helsinki City Transport
Number of vehicles	122[1]
Technical
System length	Total 110 km (68.4 mi)[2] Passenger traffic 89.5 km (55.6 mi)[2]
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3⅜ in)
Minimum radius of curvature	15 m
Route map

The Helsinki tram network forms part of the Helsinki public transport system managed by Helsinki City Transport in the Finnish capital city of Helsinki. The trams are the main means of transport within the city centre. 56.6 million trips were made in 2004, which is more than those made with the Helsinki Metro. The Helsinki tram network is one of the oldest electrified tram networks in the world.

Since 1999, new low-floor trams have been gradually introduced to operation, but technical difficulties have slowed down this progress. In 2004, Helsinki City Transport bought old 8-axle trams from Germany for cover during this transitional phase.

[edit] Lines

There are 12 tram lines in operation as of 5 January 2009 (2009 -01-05)^[update]. Lines 3B and 3T will be realigned in February 2009,^[3] coinciding with the opening of new tram tracks into Kamppi and a cut-through along Mikonkatu, near to the Central railway station. The route for Line 3 trams will continue to be a "figure-of-8", but with trams changing route number twice per circuit. Line 3T will be an 'S'-shaped half (Olympia Terminal—Senate Square—Central Railway station—Kamppi—Töölö—Eläintarha), and Line 3B will be the corresponding 'Z'-shaped half (Eläintarha—Hakaniemi—Central Railway station—Eira—Olympia Terminal) continuing around to the start. The two halves of the will route overlap along Kaivokatu, past Helsinki Central railway station. Incidentally, this means that only the Line 3T half will make use of the new Kamppi/Mikonkatu track sections, with Line 3B following the previous 3B/3T route.^[4][5]

Museum traffic will be initiated during the summer of 2009 on a counter-clockwise circular route Market Square—Kruununhaka—Central railway station—Market Square. During 2009 the traffic will be limited to selected summer weekends, utilising the 1930-built tram number 157 and the 1919-built open trailer 233. More extensive museum traffic will be initiated in 2010. The museum traffic will be jointly operated by Helsinki City Transport and Stadin Ratikat.^[6] As of 15 March 2009, no information has been given as to what line number will be assigned to the museum line.

[edit] Technology and infrastructure

Helsinki tram

Two Valmet Nr I trams, the one in the front on line 4 and the one behind on its way to Töölö tram depot.

The tram network is built almost exclusively on the streets of Helsinki, making it a traditional tram system, not a light rail one. The tracks have a track gauge of one metre. The network consists almost exclusively of double track. In some parts the tracks are separated from other road traffic, whereas elsewhere tracks lie on lanes that cars and buses may also use.

The trams are powered with electricity that is conveyed by overhead wires. Trams have their own traffic lights, which are 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). ^[7]

[edit] Depots

Töölö tram depot.

As of 2008, there are four tram depots/workshops in Helsinki; HKL-maintained depots in Töölö, Vallila and Koskela, and a Bombardier Transportation-maintained workshop at Pasilan konepaja.

• The Töölö depot houses trams running on lines 4 and 10, approximately one third of the whole rolling stock. The Helsinki tram museum is located next to the Töölö depot. Between 1948 and 1974 the Töölö depot also housed the trolleybuses used on Helsinki's sole trolleybus line.^[8]
• The Vallila depot houses repair-, paint- and rebuilding facilities, and administrative functions.^[9]
• The Koskela depot is the largest tram depot in Helsinki. It houses approximately two thirds of trams in the city, and contains training facilities.^[10] The Koskela depot is linked to the main Helsinki tram network by a long section of double track that is not used by passenger-serving trams.^[11]
• The Pasilan konepaja tram workshop was established in mid-2008 by Bombardier transportation as a repair shop for the Helsinki Variotrams,^[12] the maintenance of which became Bombardier's responsibility in May 2008.^[13] The workshop takes up a part of the former VR Group electric locomotive workshop at Pasilan konepaja. As of August 2008, the workshop does not have a permanent link to the tram network (although tracks run just outside the depot doors); instead, portable tracks are used to run the trams to and from the workshop.^[12]

Planning process is underway (as of October 2008) for excavating a new underground tram depot in the base rock below the existing Vallila depot and adjacent city blocks. The underground depot is planned to have facilities for housing 180 trams plus repair facilities and staff parking spaces.^[14][15] The underground depot would partially or completely replace the Koskela depot, which is inconviniently located far from normally operated tram lines and would require a major reconstruction if kept in use.^[16] An alternative is rebuilding and expanding the Koskela depot, but this is projected to be more expensive than the planned underground depot.^[17]

[edit] Rolling stock

The following trams types are in passenger-carrying service with HKL as of June 2008:

[edit] Future acquisitions

A CROTRAM TMK 2200 tram in test use on line 6.

HKL are planning to acquire an additional forty trams, to be delivered 2009–2016.^[33] €59 million have been allocated for this purpose for the years 2009-2011.^[34] In addition to the 40 trams to be initially acquired, the call for bids for the acquisition of new trams also includes three options for a total of 90 additional units that can be utilised within 72 months of the signing of the initial contract.^[35]

In preparation for the acquisition of new trams, in 2007–2008 one CROTRAM TMK 2200 type tram built in Croatia was used for test running in Helsinki.^[36] Due to the hilly nature of Helsinki's tram network compared to that of Zagreb (for which the TMK 2200 type was designed), the TMK 2200 could only be operated on the relatively flat-terrain lines 6 and 8.^[37] The tram performed technically without problems. Passenger feedback was largely negative, but mostly concerned issues—such as the seating arrangements—that would be changed if the type were mass-produced for HKL.^[38][39] At least ten different tram manufacturer have reportedly expressed interest in supplying the new trams in the call for bids that was opened in late 2008.^[35][40] In addition to CROTRAM, at least Stadler Rail, Heiter Blick (in collaboration with Vossloh), Škoda and Siemens are presumed to be amongst the companies interested in submitting tenders.^[41] The last date for potential suppliers to submit their tenders is 18 March 2009.^[35]

The HKL have also made designs for a tram concept of their own, which would be optimised for Helsinki's tram network. It is not known if these designs will be realised or which company would build them should they be brought to production.^[42][43] The designs drawn up by the HKL are very similar to the VAMOS Helsinki design that Heiter Blick and Vossloh are believed to submit in their tender.^[41]

To ease the construction of new tram tracks into Jätkäsaari in 2009-2015 (see below) the acquisition of double-ended trams is also under consideration. No new trams are available to be delivered by the time these are needed, therefore the only option is to acquire these trams second-hand.^[44]

[edit] History

Today, Helsinki is the only city in Finland to still have tram traffic. Two other Finnish cities—Turku (see Turku tram) and Vyborg (Finnish: Viipuri, Swedish: Viborg, Russian: Вы́борг; now part of Russia)—have had tram systems. Vyborg abandoned its trams in 1957, after the city had been ceded to the Soviet Union following the result of World War II. Turku stopped its trams in 1972.

[edit] 1890–1900: Horse-drawn single-track lines

The first proposals for the construction of a tram system into Helsinki were made in 1870s, but they were at the time unsuccessful.^[45] Public transport in Helsinki was initiated in 1988 by Helsingin omnibussiosakeyhtiö, using horse-drawn omnibuses.^[46][47] In 1889 Helsingin Omnibussiosakeyhtiö acquired the right to construct tram lines in Helsinki. The following year the company changed its name in Helsingin raitiotie- ja omnibussiosakeyhtiö (abbreviated HRO). Electric traction was considered as a power source for the new system, but due to lack of funds and the city council's negative attitude towards electric trams, the decision was made to use horse-drawn trams instead.^[46][48] The new system was built to a rail gauge of one metre. Test traffic started in December 1890, but the network wasn't officially opened for traffic until June 1891. The capacity of the horse tram system soon proved insufficient, but the changeover into electrified trams was postproned while waiting for the price of electrification of the network to drop.^[45][48]

The slowness of the electrification process was the source of conflict within the HRO, and during the latter half of the 1890s Julius Tallberg acquired the right to construct an orbital tram system around the city, that would have linked together the existing HRO lines and parts of the city not covered by the HRO lines. Following negotiations Tallberg and his associates transferred the construction permit of the orbital line to the HRO in return for a large number of HRO stocks.^[48]

[edit] 1900–1908: Electric single-track lines

In 1897 HRO received the right to construct an electrified tramway into Helsinki. A call for bids was sent out the following year, and the contract was awarded to the Germany-based O.L. Kummer. By terms on the agreement Kummer had to construct and electrify the new tram system as well as construct the trams used on it, and the company would be responsible for trafficking the new system for up to three years in order to ensure good quality of construction. Electrification of the network was mostly completed in 1900,^[49]with one short horse-drawn line lingering until 1901.^[50] Kummer had made notable profits from operating the new electrified system, and already in 1901 HRO assumed responsibility for operating the tram network.^[49] Following the electrification the number of lines grew into four, but all lines remained single-track. At the same time colours were taken into use as line identifiers.^[51]

Within a few years the single-track lines proved insufficient to meet the passenger demand, but the majority of stock owners were unwilling to fund the conversion into double track, while Julius Tallberg and his associates were strongly for the conversion. In 1906 Tallberg and his supporters acquired a stock majority in the HRO, and during the same year the company applied for and received a permission to convert their track network into double track. The contract also specified certain lines that HRO had to operate, as well as certain extensions that had to be built.^[52]

A replica of Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag's 1917-built tram number 1 at Kauppatori in 2008.

[edit] 1908–1945

The contract for converting the tram network into double track was awarded to the Swedish ASEA. Conversion work begun in 1908 and was completed in 1910. From 1908 until 1919 ASEA also supplied the HRO with a total of 78 trams and 70 trailers.^[52] In 1909 Brändö Villastad Ab, a company constructing a garden city in the island of Kulosaari (then a part of Helsingin maalaiskunta), and HRO reached an agreement for linking Kulosaari into the Helsinki tram network. The track onwards from the existing HRO line in Sörnäinen was built by Brändö Villastad Ab, who was also responsible for the upkeep of the track, as well as the tram ferry required to cross the Kuorekarinsalmi sea area between Sörnäinen and Kulosaari. Traffic on the new connection was operated by HRO, and service begun in 1910 using existing HRO trams.^[53] In 1916 Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag, which had been created as a separate company to take care of the Kulosaari tram tracks, ordered two new trams of its own. Due to World War I these were not delivered until 1919, and even after they had been delivered HRO remained in charge of trafficking the line. In 1919 a bridge between Kulosaari and the mainland was also completed.^[54]

In 1913 the HRO begun expanding its tram network for the first time since 1901, when the tracks were expanded from Hakaniemi to Alppila.^[52] During the same year the City of Helsinki acquired the stock majority of HRO, but HRO remained an independent company.^[55] The following year the network was also expanded into Taka-Töölö and Hermanni. After this the World War I made it impossible to acquire electric wires and points required for construction.^[52]

A restored HKL tram from 1928 or 1930.

The construction of non-HRO owned tram lines continued when in 1914 new tram tracks owned by Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius were opened to traffic, linking the existing HRO tracks in Töölö to Munkkiniemi and Haaga. As with the Kulosaari tramline, HRO was responsible for trafficking on these lines.^[11][56] In 1926 HRO acquired Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius and two years later Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag also passed under HRO ownership. As a result HRO again became the sole owner and operator of trams in Helsinki.^[11] During the same year line numbers and letters were taken into use as line identifiers alongside colours.^[57]

The tram network reached its apex in 1930, when the network covered a larger area than ever before of after (as of 2008), and there were 14 lines in operation.^[46]

[edit] 1945–1975

In the end of 1944 the City of Helsinki had acquired the entirety of HRO, which now became a municipal transport authority under the name Helsingin Kaupungin Liikennelaitos (HKL).^[55][58] This had little to no effect in tram operations. In 1950 secondary line identifier letters were taken into use to distinguish rush hour services from the standard routes (for example 1A, KA. The second letter was a capital letter but in a smaller size from the first).^[57] In 1953 the usage of letters as the primary line identifier ended, and the following year line colours were also abandoned.^[57]

Trams remained the main public transport system until the 1950s and 1960s, when the city rapidly sprawled and private cars became increasingly common; the new suburbs came to be served mainly by buses and commuter trains. During the 1940s and 1950s plans were drawn for a large light rail network incorporating into the tram system, which would have served major suburban centers; in preparation for this the new Kulosaari bridge (built 1956) featured a reserved space for tram tracks, while the new tram depot was built in Koskela next to a planned northeast light rail line—new tracks had to be built linking the depot to the existing network. As of August 2008, this track along the north end of Sturenkatu has never been used in normal passenger traffic.^[11] During the 1950s a total of 105 Finnish-built double-bogie trams (Karia types HM IV and HM V, Valmet types RM 1 and RM 3) were delivered to the HKL.^[58]

Tram number 11, type HM V, on Line 2 in September 1999.

During the 1960s all plans for expanding the tram network were put on hold while resources were concentrated on the planning of the metro and additional bus connections. At the same time plans were drawn for the termination of the tram network by the year 2000. In 1969 Helsinki city council made the decision that in the future tramlines would be confined to the inner city, while the metro would serve the suburban areas; the tram system would be terminated, at earliest in the year 2000. This decision required the acquisition of new trams to replace the last two-axle trams, the oldest of which dated from the 1920s. Originally the plan was to acquire fairly new second-hand articulated Düwag GT6 trams from Copenhagen, but the deal fell through and in the end new articulated trams were acquired from Valmet (type Nr I) in 1973–1975. These trams were planned to be the last trams to be acquired for traffic in Helsinki.^[11] In a break from tradition the Nr I trams were originally painted in an orange/grey colours scheme instead of the traditional green/yellow, integrating their visual appearance with the Dm 8 and Dm 9 express DMUs of the Finnish State Railways^[59], as well as the Helsinki metro, which was in testing phase at the time.^[60][61]

[edit] 1976 onwards

During the early 1970s the decision to terminate the tram system was reconsidered and eventually reversed. In 1976 the tram network was expanded for the first time since 1955, when the new connection into East-Pasila was opened (present Line 7). Another expansion was opened in 1980, when tracks in Katajanokka were expanded eastward to a new residential area (present Line 4). In 1981 another group of articulated trams, based on the Nr I type, were ordered from Valmet. Classified as Nr II, these trams were delivered between 1983 and 1987, allowing the withdrawal of the majority of the 1950s-built trams (types HM IV and RM 1 in their entirety), as well as withdrawal of all trailers. In 1985 the tram network was extended to West-Pasila^[11] (present Line 7). Around the same time the tram lines were radically reorganised.

Düwag GT6 trams were first considered for acquisition into Helsinki in 1968. Trams of this type were finally acquired in 2005 to cover for the tram shortage caused by problems with the Variotrams. A GT6 tram in commercial livery on line 6, September 2006.

The next expansion of the track lineage occurred in 1991, when the connection from Ruskeasuo to Pikku-Huopalahti was opened (present Line 10). From 1999 onwards, HKL purchased a new fleet of low-floor Variotram trams from ADtranz (Bombardier Transportation since 2001). The new generation trams suffered from persistent technical difficulties and frequent break-downs; the entire batch having been refitted by the manufacturer in Germany.^[33] To cover for the missing trams, the city had to buy ten second-hand trams from Mannheim, Germany. To help pay for the second-hand trams, HKL was allowed to cover most of the extra trams completely in advertising, a sight rarely seen before on the streets of Helsinki.^[62] In 2004 the network was expanded again, this time by lengthening the tracks from Arabia into the new residential development area in Arabianranta^[63] (present Line 6+8). On 2008-08-10 the new line number 9 was opened, connecting Kolmikulma in central Helsinki to East-Pasila and replacing bus line number 17. This marked the opening of the first new tramline in Helsinki since the (re-)opening of line 2 in 1976, and the first time that a bus line had been replaced with a tram line.

[edit] Route history

During the history of tram traffic in Helsinki, the routes of various lines have been altered, sometimes radically, and line designations have been changed or swapped between different routes. For instance, the still-existing line 1 (also knows as the green line 1900–1926) has run on 22 different routes/route variants since the line was first opened in 1890.^[50][51][64] The following is a simplified list designed to give a basic impression of what the tram network was like during different eras. Various short-lived route changes and rush hour services are ignored to ease reading.

[edit] 1890–1901: horse-drawn trams

• Töölö—Kaivopuisto. Shortened, then closed down in 1900. Replaced by the Yellow Line in the new electrified tramway.
• Sörnäinen—Lapinlahdenkatu. Shortened in 1900, closed down in 1901. Replaced by the Green and Red Lines in the new electrified tramway.^[50]

[edit] 1900–1909

• Green: Eira—Sörnäinen (1900–1901), Katajanokka—Eira—Sörnäinen (1901–1907, combination of green and blue lines), Kauppatori—Sörnäinen (1907–1910).
• Yellow: Töölö—Kaivopuisto (1900–1908).
• Blue: Töölö/Mariankatu (present-day Presidential Palace)—Hietalahti (1900–1901). Combined into the Green Line 1901–1907. Katajanokka—Hietalahti (1907–1909).
• Red: Ylioppilastalo/Lapinlahti—Kruunuhaka (1900–1907), Lapinlahti—Kallio (1907–1909).^[51]

[edit] 1909–1926

Helsinki tram network in 1920-1922.

In addition to the lines owned by Helsingin Raitiotie- ja Omnibussiosakeyhtiö, one line was owned by Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag, two lines by Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius as well as one line owned by Julius Tallberg in Lauttasaari.

• Green: Eira—Hermanni (1910–1931).^[64]
• Yellow: Töölö—Kaivopuisto—Rautatientori/Hakaniemi (1908–1922), Eira—Kallio—Töölö—Kauppatori—Eira (figure-of-eight circular, 1922–2008)^[65]
• Yellow-White: Katajanokka—Hietalahti (1909–1926), Etu-Töölö—Kirurgi (1924–1926). Two lines operated under the same colours 1924–1926.^[66]
• Red: Lapinlahti—Hakaniemi/Alppila (1909–1925).^[63]
• White: Sörnäinen/Kauppatori—Kulosaari (1910–1951). Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag owned the line from Sörnäinen onwards as well as the rolling stock. HRO operated the service. Between 1910 and 1919 the trams were carried across Kuorekarinsalmi sea area by a ferry.^[67]
• Blue-Yellow: Ylioppilastalo/Kauppatori—Haaga (1914–1926). Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius owned the line from Laakso onwards. HRO operated the service using their own trams.^[56][68]
• Red-Yellow: Ylioppilastalo/Kauppatori—Munkkiniemi (1914–1926). Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius owned the line from Laakso onwards. HRO operated the service using their own trams.^[56][69]
• Lauttalaituri—Katajaharjunniemi (1913–1917). A Julius Tallberg -owned horse tram line operated on the island of Lauttasaari, using former HRO trams.^[50][56][70]

[edit] 1926–1953

Helsinki tram network in 1946-1949.

In 1926 HRO acquired both Aktiebolaget M.G. Stenius and two years later Brändö Spårvägsaktiebolag, becoming the sole tram operator in Helsinki. During 1926 year numbers and/or letters were taken into use as identifiers of different lines alongside colours.

• 1 (green): Eira—Hermanni/Arabia (1910–1949), Eira—Vallila—Salmisaari (1949–1953, combination of lines 1 and 8).^[64]
• 2 (green-white): Kauppatori—Hermanni (1926—1928). Not operated 1928–1939. Etu-Töölö—Hakaniemi/Harjutori (1939–1951). Not operated 1951–1976.^[71]
• 3 (yellow): Eira—Kallio—Töölö—Kauppatori—Eira (1922–2008), figure-of-eight circular.^[65]
• 4 (blue): Hietalahti—Töölö/Meilahti (1926–1951).^[72]
• 5 / 5A (yellow-white): Etu-Töölö—Katajanokka (1926–1955; 1929–1939 as 5A).^[66]
  • 5B: Etu-Töölö—Kauppatori (1929–1939).^[66]
• 6 (red): Lapinlahti—Hakaniemi/Hermanni/Arabia (1926–1959).^[63]
• 7 (red-white): Kirurgi—Linjat (1926—1949). Not operated 1949–1951. Töölö—Sörnäinen—Rautatientori (circular, 1951–1980).^[73]
• 8 (blue-white): Ruoholahti/Salmisaari—Töölö/Vallila (1929–1949). Not operated 1949–1953 (combined into line 1).^[74]
• 9 (blue-yellow): Erottaja—Ruskeasuo (1939–1946).^[75]
• 10 (white): Eläintarha—Länsi-Pasila (1928–1952).^[76]
• 11 (white): Kauppatori—Hermanni (1944).^[77]
• 12 (white, later red-yellow): Erottaja/Kirurgi—Taka-Töölö/Ruskeasuo (1944–1957).^[78]
  • 12S: Arabia—Ruskeasuo (1950–1955), rush hour and night-time service.^[78]
• B/KB (white, later green-yellow): Kauppatori—Kulosaari (1913–1951). Tram traffic to Kulosaari terminated in 1951, in part due to the poor condition of the wooden bridge connecting the island to the mainland.^[53][67]
• H (blue-yellow): Erottaja/Ruskeasuo/Diakonissalaitos—Haaga (1926–1953).^[68]
• K (green-red): Vallila/Kauppatori—Käpylä (1925–1953). Combined into line 1 1953^[79]
• M (red-yellow): Erottaja—Munkkiniemi (1926–1951).^[69]
• W (green-white): Kauppatori—Arabia (1926–1931).^[80]

[edit] 1953–1985

Helsinki tram network in 1976 and 1977.

The usage of letters as the main line identifier ended in 1953. Line colours were abandoned in 1954.

• 1: Eira/Kauppatori—Käpylä (1954 onwards).^[64]
  • 1A: Eira—Käpylä (1954–1976), rush hour service.^[64]
• 2: Kauppatori—Itä-Pasila (1976–1985).^[71]
  • 2A: Eira—Itä-Pasila (1976–1985), rush hour service.^[71]
• 3B, 3T: Eira—Kallio—Töölö—Kauppatori—Eira (1922–2008), figure-of-eight circular.^[65]
• 4: Hietalahti/Kirurgi—Munkkiniemi (1951–1985).^[72]
  • 4S: Kauppatori—Munkkiniemi (1951–1981), rush-hour service.^[72]
  • 4A: Erottaja—Munkkiniemi (1956–1966), rush-hour and night-time service.^[72]
  • 4N: Katajanokka—Munkkiniemi (1973–1985), night-time service.^[72]
• 5: Katajanokka—Töölö (1955–1985).^[66]
• 6: Lapinlahti/Hietalahti—Arabia (1945 onwards).^[63]
• 7: Töölö—Sörnäinen—Rautatientori (circular, 1951–1980), Hakaniemi—Töölö—Harjutori (1980–1984).^[73]
• 8: Salmisaari—Vallila (1953–1984).^[74]
  • 8K: Salmisaari—Käpylä (1953–1962), rush-hour service.^[74]
• 9: Kauppatori—Vallila (1953–1976).^[75]
• 10: Erottaja/Kirugi/Linjat—Ruskeasuo (1955–1985).^[76]
  • 10A: Käpylä—Ruskeasuo (1955–1958), rush-hour service; Arabia—Ruskeasuo (1959–1964), night-time service.^[76]
  • 10S: Kauppatori—Ruskeasuo (1955–1977), rush-hour service.^[76]
  • 10N: Erottaja—Ruskeasuo (1957–1959), Arabia—Ruskeasuo (1965–1977), night-time services.^[76]
• 12: Kirurgi/Linjat—Ruskeasuo (1949–1959).^[78]
  • 12S: Arabia—Ruskeasuo (1950–1955), rush hour and night-time service.^[78]
• 15: Linjat—Laakso (1954–1957).^[81]

[edit] 1985 onwards

Helsinki tram network in 1995-1997

• 1: Kauppatori—Käpylä (1954 onwards).^[64]
  • 1A: Eira—Käpylä (1985 onwards), rush hour service.^[64]
• 2: Kauppatori—Linjat (1985–1992), Katajanokka ferry terminal—Linjat (1992–2005).^[71]
• 3B, 3T: Eira—Kallio—Töölö—Kauppatori—Eira (1922–2008), figure-of-eight circular.^[65]
• 4: Katajanokka—Munkkiniemi (1985 onwards).^[72]
  • 4T: Katajanokka ferry terminal—Munkkiniemi (2004 onwards).^[72]
• 6: Hietalahti—Arabia (1959 onwards).^[63]
• 7A, 7B: Pasila—Töölö—Rautatientori/Senaatintori (1985 onwards).^[73]
• 8: Salmisaari—Sörnäinen—Vallila/Arabia (1984 onwards).^[74]
• 9: Kolmikulma—Kallio—Itä-Pasila (2008 onwards).^[75]
• 10: Kirurgi—Ruskeasuo/Pikku-Huopalahti (1985 onwards).^[76]

[edit] Planned extension of the network

This article or section contains information about a proposed, planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available.

Decided and proposed expansions to the Helsinki tram network. Existing tracks in dark green and grey.

Helsinki Transport Council have made plans for a radical expansion of the tram network within the next 20-30 years. In addition to the rerouting of lines 3B and 3T in early 2009, the following expansions of the tram network have been proposed:

[edit] Jätkäsaari and Munkkisaari

The freight harbour area in Jätkäsaari will be freed for residential construction in late 2008 when the new freight harbour in Vuosaari is opened. A tram connection tying the new area into the city center is in advanced planning stages. In the most recent proposal, approved by the public transport council on 11 December 2008, line 8 will be expanded into the new area from the north and another line (possibly line 9) from the east via Kamppi. By 2025 line 6 will be rerouted from its current terminus at Hietalahti south to Munkkisaari.^[82][83] An earlier proposal featured the extension of lines 6, 8 and 9 into Jätkäsaari, but this was subsequently altered.^[84][85] Tracks are planned to be built as housing construction of the area advances, with the first sections to be laid in 2009.^[86] Phase 1 of the extension is to be completed in 2010, phase 2 in 2011 and the final third phase after 2015.^[34][82] To eliminate the need of building temporary return loops as the construction progresses, the acquisition of second-hand double-ended trams to be used on lines extending into Jätkäsaari is under consideration.^[44]

[edit] Laajasalo

New residential areas are to be constructed to the island of Laajasalo, to the east of Helsinki city center, between 2010 and 2025. Following a recommendation by the public transport council,^[87][88] the Helsinki city council decided on 12 November 2008 that the new residential areas would be linked to the Helsinki city center by a tram connection built on bridges from Kruununhaka via Tervasaari, Sompasaari and Korkeasaari across the Kruunuvuorenselkä sea area and into Kruunuvuorenranta.^[89] Three tram lines are projected to be constructed into Laajasalo; one will terminate in the residential development area of Kruunuvuorenranta, a second will extend into Yliskylä and a third line run into the southern central part of Laajasalo.^[87]

The main competing alternative, an extension of Helsinki Metro, was found to be notably more expensive to construct and was projected to attract smaller passenger numbers than the tram.^[90][91]

In addition to the approved three lines into Laajasalo, the city council approved a motion that in the further planning of the Laajasalo area tram, expanding the tram network to the Herttoniemi metro station should be investigated.^[89] Additionally, in case that the military base in Santahamina will be freed for residential construction in the future, provisions will be made for converting the tram lines into a light rail system that would extend into Santahamina in the south and travel in a tunnel from Korkeasaari to Katajanokka, linking with the planned North-South line of the Helsinki Metro.^[87]

[edit] Extensions to line 9

Line number 9, opened in August 2008, was originally planned as early as 1990 to link Ilmala with Merikatu in southern Ullanlinna. However, in the first phase of construction the northern part of the route was truncated into Itä-Pasila in order to cut costs, while the southern terminus was placed in Kolmikulma due to opposition to tram tracks by people living along the planned new line, particularly due to the fact that the amount of parking space would have decreased along the streets where new tracks would have been laid.^[44] The connection to Ilmala is to be completed constructed 2010-2012, and to be opened for traffic in 2013.^[34]

Although shortly before the opening of line 9 HKL stated the continuation to Merikatu had been abandoned permanently,^[2] within weeks of the opening of the line extending the route to Merikatu was again proposed, due to complaints from inhabitants of Ullanlinna following the termination of bus line 17. Subsequently the HKL stated they would be "actively acting to expand the tramline to Merikatu".^[92] Interlacing the tracks on some sections on Korkeavuorenkatu is under consideration as a space-saving measure, allowing a larger amount of parking space to be maintained along the street.^[93] In addition to extending line 9 to Merikatu, plans have been made for extending line 9 into Jätkäsaari instead. Should Jätkäsaari be chosen as the southern terminus for line 9, a different line would be routed to Merikatu in its place.^[94]

In addition to lengthening the line, moving the line from Kaarlenkatu and Helsinginkatu to Fleminginkatu in Kallio was proposed on 10 October 2008.^[34]

[edit] Kalasatama

Like the harbour area in Jätkäsaari, the freight harbour in Kalasatama will be freed for residential construction in late 2008 when the new freight harbour in Vuosaari is opened. Tram connection is considered as the means of connecting the new residential area with the city center (although there is also an existing metro station in the northern part of the area). Two tram lines are planned to be extended into the Kalasatama area, one from the west via Merihaka and another from the south, utilizing the Tervasaari-Sompasaari bridge that will be built for the Laajasalo tram connection.^[87][90][91]

[edit] Arabia-Pasila line

A new tram line connecting Arabia (the current terminus of lines 6 and 8) and Pasila railway station (the current terminus of lines 7A, 7B and 9) via Kumpula, provisionally numbered 5, has been under discussion for some time. Several faculties of Helsinki University with up to 10,500 students are located in Kumpula. Additionally, the University of Art and Design Helsinki and Arcada School of Economics reside along the proposed tram link in Arabia.^[95] Many consider the existing bus connections from Kumpula and Arabia to Pasila railway station slow and unreliable.^[96] A plan to construct a road through Kumpula in an attempt to speed up bus line number 506, the current main public transportation link of the area, has been around for some time. This plan, however, has been heavily opposed by the residents of Kumpula area.

A study carried out by a group formed of members of the Finnish Tramway Society and students of Helsinki University of Technology proposes an alternative tram link. The proposed tram link would omit the need of constructing the strongly disputed public transportation road through Kumpula.^[97] The suggested alternatives for the tram line would either utilise the disused freight railway line in Southern Kumpula^[96] or only existing tram tracks, including a currently disused stretch on Sturenkatu between Mäkelänkatu and Hämeentie. The proposed connection would need only four trams with departures every ten minutes. The study was done as voluntary work.^[95]

[edit] Tram 2015 study

In 2006 a study named Ratikka 2015 ("Tram 2015"), a proposal was made for a tram connection to Jätkäsaari, Munkkisaari, Ilmala and Kalasatama as well as expanding the network to Munkkivuori. Variants proposed in the study also included several possibilities for additional track lineage within the main parts of the city already served by trams, as well as the creation of new lines, or even closing down existing lines.^[90][98] Although the HKL are planning on building a tram connection to Jätkäsaari, the route alternatives under consideration are not the same as proposed in the Ratikka 2015 study.^[85][98]

[edit] Rail-joker

Rail-joker planned route map[99]

Legend To Otaniemi (planned) Tapiola Opintie To Niittymaa (planned) Pohjantori Louhentori Turvesuo Laajalahti Impilahdentie Säteri Rummunlyöjänkatu To Kilo Leppävaara Perkkaa Mäkkylä Pajamäki Pitäjänmäki Takomotie Valimotie Valimo Vihdintie To Pohjois-Haaga To Ilmala Huopalahti Ilkantie Hämeenlinnanväylä Pirkkola Pirjontie Maunula Tuusulanväylä Mestarintie Mäkitorpantie To Käpylä Oulunkylä Veräjämäki To Pukinmäki Viikinmäki Viikin tiedepuisto Latokartano To Siilitie Myllärintie Kauppamyllyntie Itäkeskus To Myllypuro To Puotila

In 1990 a plan was made for a circular light rail route connecting Itäkeskus in eastern Helsinki to Leppävaara in western Espoo via various suburbs in eastern and northern Helsinki. The planned line was named Jokeri ("The Joker", after the playing card). Due to small projected passenger numbers the line was eventually realised in 2003 as a bus connection, with an upgrade into a rail service planned to be constructed after 2030. After the line was opened passenger numbers exceeded expectations and available capacity, and the planning process for converting the route to a light rail service was started in 2008.^[100] The rail-joker connection is planned to be realised either with a rail gauge of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3⅜ in), making it compatible with the existing Helsinki tram network, or a gauge of 1,524 mm (5 ft), making it compatible with the Helsinki Metro and the Finnish railway network.^[101] A previous study made in 2003 about the integration of a possible light rail system into the existing heavy rail -type Helsinki Metro had come to the conclusion that such an integration would be difficult without implementing large-scale changes to the Metro network, or alternatively would require the utilization of unpractical and expensive solutions for the light rail system.^[102]

According to a decision made in 2007, the construction of the rail-joker is to begin in 2016 at earliest.^[103] The preliminary project plan is due to be completed in 2009.^[104] In February 2009 it was reported that the cities of Helsinki and Espoo are now hoping to have the construction of the Rail-joker completed by 2016.^[99]

[edit] Other possibilities

The possibility of extending line 1 (and 1A) to Käpylä railway station (or further to Oulunkylä) in the north and rerouting the same line through the disused tracks on Linjat in Kallio have been brought up as possible future projects to improve passenger numbers on the unpopular line.^[105]

In addition to the above, expansion of the tram network from Arabia to Viikki, Käpylä to Koskela and Pikku-Huopalahti to Haaga have been mentioned as potential long-term projects.^[90]

A construction of a light rail or tram system has also been proposed as a possible solution of arranging public transport in the area annexed by Helsinki from Vantaa and Sipoo on 1 January 2009. An extension of the Helsinki Metro was originally planned as the main form of public transport for this area, but on 20 February 2009 a newspaper reported that a light rail system is being studied as an alternative to spplement or supplant the Metro connection to this area.^[106] The annexed area is located in eastern Helsinki, and as such the proposed new system would be completely unconnected with the currently existing tram system. It could however connect with the Rail-joker in Itäkeskus.

[edit] References

[edit] Bibliography

Finnish Tramway Society

Helsingin Sanomat

Miscellaneous

[edit] See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Trams in Helsinki

• Sporalogy - a humorous alternative to astrology that is based on Helsinki trams.

[edit] External links

• Helsinki City Transport official website
• Map of the Helsinki tram network (Official map as of 15 June 2008)
• pics of Helsinki tram
• Raide-Jokeri official website