Helsinki light rail line 15

Helsinki light rail line 15 (Finnish: Pikaraitiotie 15, Swedish: Snabbspårväg 15) is a 25-kilometre (16 mi) light rail line connecting Keilaniemi in Espoo and Itäkeskus in Helsinki, Finland. Known during construction as Jokeri light rail (Finnish: Raide-Jokeri, Swedish: Spårjokern), construction was started in June 2019^[4] and the line began operating in October 2023,^[5] about 10 months ahead of the original schedule.^[6] The line replaced the trunk bus line 550, the busiest bus service on the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority public transport network, at the end of 2023.^[7]

Helsinki light rail line 15
Western terminus of the line in Keilaniemi, Espoo
Overview
Other name(s)	Jokeri light rail
Native name	Pikaraitiotie 15
Status	Operational
Line number	15[1]
Locale	Helsinki, Espoo
Termini	Keilaniemi Itäkeskus
Stations	34
Service
Type	Light rail
System	Helsinki tram network
Services	15
Operator(s)	Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd
Depot(s)	Roihupelto
Rolling stock	20x Škoda Artic X54 (9 more on order)
History
Commenced	2019; 5 years ago (2019)
Opened	21 October 2023; 10 months ago (2023-10-21)
Technical
Line length	25 km (16 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Character	Partial street running, partial at-grade separate right-of-way
Track gauge	1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge
Electrification	Overhead catenary at 750V DC
Operating speed	up to 70 km/h (43 mph)[2]
Signalling	Line of sight
Route map Show interactive map Legend Helsinki Metro to Koivusaari Keilaniemi Otaranta Aalto-yliopisto Maari Helsinki Metro to Tapiola Lahdenpohja Ring I Laajalahti Vt 1 Linnoitustie Alberganesplanadi to Kilo Leppävaara station Ring I Perkkaa Mäkkylä Vermo Ravitie Talin siirtolapuutarha Pitäjänmäki Takomotie Kutomotie Valimo Vihdintie to Pohjois-Haaga Huopalahti station to Ilmala Ilkantie Vt 3 Hämeenlinnanväylä Pirkkola Pirjontie Maunula Kt 45 Kustaankartano Teininpuisto Oulunkylän keskusta to Käpylä Oulunkylä station Veräjämäki to Pukinmäki Viikinmäki Vt 4 Viikin tiedepuisto Latokartano Karhukallio Kauppamyllyntie to Roihupelto depot Helsinki Metro to Siilitie Roihupelto Itäkeskus Helsinki Metro to Myllypuro Helsinki Metro to Puotila Sources[3] This diagram: view talk edit Show diagram

History

Background

The "trunk bus line" 550, formerly branded Jokeri ("The Joker", after Joukkoliikenteen kehämäinen raideinvestointi – "A circular rail investment for public transportation"), has been converted to light rail. The city councils of Helsinki and Espoo approved the construction project in June 2016,^[8][9] after the Finnish government decided to participate in funding the construction. The rail line was preliminarily projected to open in 2021.^[10] The construction of the 25-kilometre (16 mi) light rail line, without rolling stock or a depot, was projected to cost 274 million euros as of June 2016, with rolling stock and a depot projected to additionally cost up to 95 and 65 million euros, respectively.^[11]

The 550 was originally conceived as a light rail line in 1990, but only realised as a bus line in 2003. The general plans to convert the congested bus line to light rail were first published in 2009, but the decision to begin construction was only taken in June 2016 after many delays.^{[12][13][14][15]} The municipality of Espoo has located the western terminus of the rail line at Keilaniemi instead of Tapiola. There are connections to the Helsinki Metro at Aalto University and Keilaniemi.

The previous 550 bus line was a 25-kilometre-long (16 mi) orbital route running roughly parallel to the innermost ring road around Helsinki (Ring I). The 550 ran from Itäkeskus in the east to Tapiola in the west, connecting with the commuter rail network at Oulunkylä, Huopalahti, Pitäjänmäki and Leppävaara, and with the metro in Itäkeskus and Tapiola.

Light rail line 15 is a significant development for the Helsinki tram network. The route is located entirely outside the current network, surrounding it; the length of the route constitutes a large proportion of the total network length, and the line is built to modern light rail standards (as opposed to the relatively old-fashioned street tram system). However, the new line is technically compatible with the existing network (1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge, low platforms). Direct integration with the Helsinki Metro (broad gauge, high platforms, planned driverless operation) was briefly studied in 2003, but it was found to be highly impractical.^[16]

Construction

Construction on the line officially began in June 2019.^[17] Construction proceeded ahead of schedule, with test runs being completed between 2022 and June 2023.^[6] Regular service started in October 2023,^[5] ahead of the original 2024 target date.^[18] 5858 workers took part in the construction.^[19]

• 
  Construction work in Maunula in September 2022
• 
  Western entrance of the Patterinmäki tunnel during construction work in May 2022

Opening

Ribbon cutting ceremony to officially inaugurate the light rail line. In the background is the first tram in service for the line awaiting departure.

The first service of Jokeri light rail took place in Otaniemi, where the first service departed on 21 October 2023 to Itäkeskus. HSL (Helsinki Regional Transport Authority) organized an opening event at Otaniemi, with guests like Finnish prime minister Petteri Orpo, Finnish minister of Environment and climate change Kai Mykkänen and the deputy mayor of Helsinki.

Services

Services on tram line 15 began on 21 October 2023.^[5] The initial service consisted of a tram every 12 minutes (5tph). On 1 December 2023, the frequency was increased to 6tph. From 4 March 2024, the peak time frequency wss increased further, to a tram every 8 minutes (7.5tph). From summer 2024, the all-day frequency will be increased to 8tph, with up to 10tph at peak times.^[20]

The line is operated by Helsinki City Transport, although the operation is planned to be contracted out to a commercial entity later.^[21]

Rolling stock

A total of 29 bi-directional Škoda Artic X54 units have been ordered for the line. The model, also known as Artic XL, is based on the Artic model originally designed for Helsinki's tram network and will also be used on the Crown Bridges lines. All trams are based at Roihupelto tram depot, which was built beside the Roihupelto metro depot [fi] used by Helsinki Metro.^[22]

See also

• Trams in Finland
• Helsinki tram network
• Planned extension of the Helsinki tram network

References

1. Moilanen, Kaisu (2023-05-11). "Helsingin seudun pikaratikka saa tunnuksen 15". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
2. Nukarinen, Arja; Ranta, Mika (2023-10-20). "Kyyti uudessa ratikassa näytti monta vaaran paikkaa: Video tallensi radalla toikkaroivat kulkijat". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-10-21.
3. "Selvitys Raide-Jokerin linjausvaihtoehdoista Espoossa" (PDF). City of Espoo. Retrieved 2015-05-07.^{[permanent dead link]} (Possibly the same source: raidejokeri.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/raide_jokeri_espoo_vaihtoehdot_selvitys.pdf)
4. "Raide-Jokeri LRT construction to begin in June". International Railway Journal. 1 May 2019.
5. ""Yllättävän hiljainen, mukava matkustaa", sanoo espoolainen matkustaja – Yle seurasi suorana pikaratikan ensimmäisiä vuoroja" (in Finnish). Yle. 21 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
6. Salomaa, Marja (2023-01-22). "Raide-Jokeri on valmistumassa etuajassa, myös budjetti on alittumassa – mitä siinä tehtiin oikein?". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
7. Okko, Laura (2023-11-30). "Pikaratikan vuoroväli tihenee jopa 6 minuuttiin, ja bussilinja 550 lakkaa pian– "Bussi on nopeampi"". Helsingin Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2024-01-01.
8. "Valtuuston päätöksiä 13.6.2016". City of Espoo. Archived from the original on 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
9. "Kaupunginvaltuusto, Päätöstiedote nro 12". City of Helsinki (in Finnish). 2016-06-15. Archived from the original on 2016-11-18. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
10. "Raide-Jokeri lyhyesti". Raide-Jokeri (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
11. "Raide-Jokeri, hankesuunnitelma 2015" (PDF) (in Finnish). Cities of Espoo and Helsinki. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-08. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
12. Alku, Antero (2008-06-21). "Jokerilinja". www.kaupunkiliikenne.net (in Finnish). Retrieved 2008-07-16.
13. "HLJ 2011 draft" (PDF) (in Finnish). 2010-10-26. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-01-02. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
14. "Raide-Jokeria suunnitellaan" (in Finnish). 2008-10-15. Archived from the original on 2008-10-23. Retrieved 2008-10-15.
15. "Raide-Jokeri Alustava yleissuunnitelma 2009" (PDF) (in Finnish). The City of Helsinki, Espoo. May 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
16. Alku, Antero (2004-04-12). "Metron ja pikaraitiotien yhteensovittaminen". www.kaupunkiliikenne.net (in Finnish). Retrieved 2008-07-16.
17. Burroughs, David (6 June 2019). "Construction of Raide-Jokeri light rail line begins". International Railway Journal.
18. "Aluekohtaiset koeajot saatiin päätökseen – testit jatkuvat koko linjalla". Raide-Jokeri (in Finnish). 2023-04-25. Archived from the original on 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
19. "Rakentamisen edistyminen". Raide-Jokeri (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2023-03-06. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
20. Aalto, Maija (2023-06-07). "Raide-Jokerin liikenne voisi alkaa jo syksyllä". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
21. Kirsi, Katri (2020-12-03). "Raide-Jokeria liikennöi tulevaisuudessa kaupallinen taho, HKL jäämässä pois kilpailutuksesta – Toimitusjohtaja: "Ansaitaksamme paikkamme meidän täytyy olla parhaita"". Yle Uutiset (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.
22. Salomaa, Marja (2021-04-22). "Tältä näyttää tulevaisuuden ratikka, joka kiitää Raide-Jokerin ja Kruunusiltojen kiskoilla". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 2023-07-30.

External links

Media related to Helsinki light rail line 15 at Wikimedia Commons