Helsinki City Transport plans purchase of used trams from Germany

Difficulties with new rolling-stock have forced move

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The Helsinki City Transport (HKL) is to acquire four to six used 30-year-old trams from the German city of Mannheim. The trams are to serve as a back-up for HKL's new low-carriage trams that have been found to have serious technical problems. Actually, a number of the new Bombardier vehicles are frequently standing idle at the depot, awaiting repairs.
     
The operation will cost HKL about EUR 200,000 to 300,000 depending on the number of wagons to be purchased. The price of one tram will be approximately EUR 50,000 including all alterations required to transform them to comply with Finnish standards. Moreover, the tram drivers will have to be trained properly.
      The trams taken out of mothballs in Germany are expected to be operational by the IAAF World Championships in Athletics at the latest. The games are to be held in Helsinki in August.
      According to Director Timo Ketola of HKL's tram unit, the used German trams will be in service for about 12 months, after which they will be either sold or scrapped.
     
Today, the city's public transport committee is discussing how to finance the acquisition. One alternative would be to cover part of the costs by selling advertising space on the sides of the trams. According to HKL, advertisements would cover some 70% of the total price of the acquisition.
      In advance, the issue has provoked controversial feelings among the committee members. The reasons seem to be personal rather than political.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Technical problems delay introduction of new tram fleet in Helsinki (21.5.2004)

Links:
  Helsinki City Transport (HKL) web site

Helsingin Sanomat