Helsinki Metro

Helsinki Metro
M300, the newest train in use.
M300, the newest train in use.
M100, the oldest class still in use, en route to Vuosaari
M100, the oldest class still in use, en route to Vuosaari
Overview
Native nameHelsingin metro
Helsingfors metro
LocaleHelsinki capital region, Finland
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines2
Number of stations30[1]
Daily ridership304,000 (2017)[2]
Annual ridership92.6 million (2019) [3]
WebsiteHKL Metro
Operation
Began operation2 August 1982[4]
Operator(s)Helsinki City Transport and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd
Technical
System length43 km (26.7 mi)[5]
Track gauge1,522 mm (4 ft 11+2932 in)[6][7] Broad gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail[8]

The Helsinki Metro (Finnish: Helsingin metro, Swedish: Helsingfors metro) is a rapid transit system serving the Helsinki capital region, Finland. It is the world's northernmost metro system. It was opened to the general public on 2 August 1982[4] after 27 years of planning. It is operated by Helsinki City Transport and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd for Helsinki Regional Transport Authority and carries 92.6 million passengers per year.[3]

The system consists of 2 lines, serving a total of 30 stations. It has a total length of 43 km (26.7 mi).[9] It is the predominant rail link between the suburbs of East Helsinki and the western suburbs in the city of Espoo and downtown Helsinki.

The line passes under Helsinki Central Station, allowing passengers to transfer to and from the Helsinki commuter rail network, including trains on the Ring Rail Line to Helsinki Airport.

  1. ^ "By metro". City of Helsinki, Helsinki City Transport. Retrieved 2015-11-18.
  2. ^ "Metron käyttäjämäärät kasvussa – alkuhuuma kuitenkin hiipui nopeasti". www.tekniikkatalous.fi. 23 November 2017.
  3. ^ a b "HKL Annual Report 2019" (PDF). Helsinki City Transport (HKL). p. 5. Retrieved 2021-02-01.
  4. ^ a b "Helsinki City Transport - About HKL - History - A brief history of the metro". Helsinki City Transport. 19 March 2012. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  5. ^ "By metro >> Track and depot". City of Helsinki, Helsinki City Transport. Retrieved 2017-11-18.
  6. ^ "Perustietoja ja metroasemat" (in Finnish and English). Finnish Railway Society. Retrieved 30 August 2022. Gauge: 1522 mm
  7. ^ "Työskentely metroradan läheisyydessä" (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki City Transport. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  8. ^ "Helsinki metro cars". SRS. Archived from the original on 8 January 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Helsinki metro opens to Kivenlahti on December 3". International Railway Journal. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-03.