By renewing old systems, the reliability and safety of the metro will be secured, while also enabling capacity growth in the future as passenger numbers increase. Photo: Aarni Salomaa
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Metro systems in the Helsinki metropolitan area will be modernised over the next decade to meet future passenger demand, improve safety and increase capacity.
The changes form part of the METKA project, a joint initiative led by City Transport Ltd and backed by the cities of Helsinki and Espoo, along with HSL and Länsimetro Ltd.
The project includes the replacement of ageing control systems and the introduction of new M400-series trains.
These changes will enable shorter intervals between metro trains, increasing capacity by 25 percent. The goal is to run trains every 120 seconds during peak hours.
Many of the metro’s core systems have been in use since operations began more than 40 years ago. The main upgrade involves replacing the train control and radio communication systems, which are reaching the end of their operational lifespan.
The proposed traffic management system will be phased in over several years and is expected to be completed in the early 2030s. The system includes a control centre, data transmission networks, and field equipment such as switches.
The current stop-based system will be replaced with a semi-automated control system. This shift will allow for greater reliability, improve passenger safety, and accommodate more frequent services without building new infrastructure.
Olli Isotalo, Espoo’s director of urban environment and chair of the board at Länsimetro, said the upgrades were vital for sustainable urban growth.
“Increasing metro capacity allows more people to move efficiently and in an environmentally responsible way. Improving existing infrastructure is both a cost-effective and sustainable solution,” he said.
Heikki Viika, METKA project lead at City Transport Ltd, said the 25 percent capacity increase was equivalent to the impact of building three light rail lines, ten new bus routes, or a new motorway lane, but at a lower cost and with a smaller carbon footprint.
The project received key approvals in recent weeks. Espoo’s city board approved an increase in the project plan on 27 October. Helsinki’s city board followed on 3 November. A separate decision on the procurement of new M400-series metro trains is still pending in Helsinki.
Once approved, the new train procurement process will begin. The M400 series will replace the oldest M100 and M200 trains currently in service. Passenger service with the new rolling stock is expected to start in the early 2030s.
The METKA project is based on projections of growing population and ridership in the capital region. The upgraded systems will allow the metro network to handle rising demand with greater efficiency, using the existing rail infrastructure.
The new radio system will rely on mobile network technology to support real-time data communication between trains and the control centre. This is a necessary component of the new train control system, enabling automated safety and routing functions.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
