Helsinki tram
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Helsinki tram network is part of the 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.
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[edit] Lines
There are 11 tram lines currently in operation.
- 1 Kauppatori–Käpylä
- 1A Eira–Käpylä
- 3B Eira–Kauppatori–Töölö–Kallio–Eira
- 3T Eira–Töölö–Kallio–Kauppatori–Eira
- 4 Katajanokka–Munkkiniemi
- 4T Katajanokka ferry terminal–Munkkiniemi
- 6 Hietalahti–Arabia
- 7A Senaatintori–Töölö–Pasila–Senaatintori
- 7B Senaatintori–Pasila–Töölö–Senaatintori
- 8 Salmisaari–Sörnäinen–Vallila
- 10 Kirurgi–Pikku-Huopalahti
A new line, line 9, is being planned to connect Kirurgi (line 10's southern terminal) to Itä-Pasila through Vallila. This requires new tracks to be built.
[edit] Technology and infrastructure
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 lights are synchronised to allow tram traffic to flow relatively smoothly.
[edit] History
Regular tram traffic started in Helsinki in 1891 with metre-gauge horse-drawn trams. However, electrification was quick, and the last horse-drawn line closed in 1901. During recent decades, the network has not radically changed. Maintenance of the old network and extension of some lines to developing city districts adjacent to those lines have been the primary priority.
Today, Helsinki is the only city in Finland to have tram traffic. Two other cities, Turku and Viipuri, used to also have tram traffic, but both cities have since abandoned trams (Viipuri only after becoming part of the Soviet Union).
[edit] Closed lines
- 2 Katajanokan terminaali - Linjat, closed after opening of 4T Katajanokan terminaali - Munkkiniemi
- 5
[edit] See also
- Sporalogy - a humorous alternative to astrology that is based on Helsinki trams.
