Helsinki tram
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| Helsinki tram | |
| Locale | Helsinki, Finland |
|---|---|
| Transit type | Tramway |
| Began operation | 1891 |
| No. of lines | 11 |
| Daily ridership | 155,000 |
| Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3⅜ in) |
| Operator(s) | Helsinki City Transport |
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.
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[edit] Lines
There are 11 tram lines currently in operation.
- 1 Kauppatori–Käpylä (workdays daytime service only)
- 1A Eira–Kauppatori–Käpylä (workdays peak service only)
- 3B Eira–Kauppatori–Töölö–Kallio–Eira
- 3T Eira–Töölö–Kallio–Kauppatori–Eira
- 4 Katajanokka–Munkkiniemi
- 4T Katajanokka ferry terminal–Munkkiniemi (ferry arrival/departure times only)
- 6 Hietalahti–Arabia
- 7A Senaatintori–Töölö–Pasila–Senaatintori
- 7B Senaatintori–Pasila–Töölö–Senaatintori
- 8 Salmisaari–Sörnäinen–Arabia
- 10 Kirurgi–Pikku-Huopalahti
A new route (9) is to be opened in August 2008. It will connect Kolmikulma to Itä-Pasila through Kallio and Vallila. Bus route 17 will be closed when route 9 is opened, bus routes 14, 14B and 16 will be realigned.
[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 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)[1].
[edit] History
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 abandoned trams, Viipuri in 1957 after the city was ceded to the Soviet Union as a result of WWII, and Turku in 1972.
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. Until 1945, trams were run by private companies, mostly by Helsingin raitiotie- ja omnibus oy, and since then the service has been run by the city. Trams were 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, commuter trains and the metro, while trams continued to serve the old city core. 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. The city remains committed to the tram system, and it is well loved by the citizens. In late 2006, construction began on line 9, the first major new line since the mid-80s. Light rail systems have been discussed as an alternative to extending the metro system to the west, but it now appears the metro will prevail.
From 1999 onwards Helsinki bought a new generation of low-floor trams, Variotram, from ADtranz, which was bought by Bombardier Transportation in 2001. These have suffered from persistent technical difficulties and frequent break-downs, and the entire batch is now to be refitted by the manufacturer.[2] To cover for the missing trams, the city has had to buy ten second-hand trams from Mannheim, Germany. To help pay for them, it has been allowed to cover most of the trams completely in advertising, a sight rarely seen before in the streets of Helsinki.[3]
HKL are planning to purchase 40 additional trams, to be delivered 2009-2016.[2] In preparation for this, in 2007-2008 one TMK 2200 type tram built by CROTRAM in Croatia was used for test running in Helsinki.[4] Due to the relatively hilly nature of Helsinki's tram network compared to that of Zagreb (for which the TMK 2200 was designed), the TMK 2200 could only be operated on the relatively flat-terrain lines 6 and 8.[5] Passenger feedback for this type of tram was largely negative, and negotiations for possible road testing of trams by other manufacturers are being carried out.[6]
[edit] Closed routes
Not a complete list.
- 2 Katajanokan terminaali - Linjat, closed after opening of 4T Katajanokan terminaali - Munkkiniemi
- 2V Katajanokka (Merisotilaantori) - Kruununhaka - Linjat, peak service closed in 1998
- 5 Katajanokka - Töölöntori, replaced by routes 3B/3T and 4 in 1985
- 7 Hakaniemi - Töölö - Harjutori, closed in 1984
- 9 Kauppatori - Kallio - Vallila, closed in 1976
[edit] See also
- Sporalogy - a humorous alternative to astrology that is based on Helsinki trams.
[edit] References
- ^ City of Helsinki, Urban Traffic Control Centre, Helsinki Public Transport Signal Priority and Passenger Information (HeLMi).
- ^ a b Ongelmalliset matalalattiavaunut (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat (2007-12-18). Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
- ^ 1960-luvun mannheimilaiset paikkaavat raitiovaunutarvetta (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat (2008-05-08). Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
- ^ Kroatialainen raitiovaunu matkustajaliikenteeseen (in Finnish). HKL news (2008-01-18). Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
- ^ Kroaattivaunun ensikyyti Helsingin raiteilla sujui tiukasti katua hipoen (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat (2007-12-19). Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
- ^ Croatian-made tram criticised as "cramped and noisy". Helsingin Sanomat International Edition (2008-03-28). Retrieved on 2008-06-11.
[edit] External links
- Helsinki City Transport
- Finnish tramway society
- Map of the Helsinki tram network (Official map as of 4 June 2007)
- Map of route 9
- Public transport in Eira after opening on route 9
- pics of Helsinki tram
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