Helsinki City Transport to install air conditioning in trams and buses

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Helsinki City Transport (HKL) plans to start equipping its buses and trams with air conditioning from the beginning of next year. This summer both drivers and passengers of public transport have been plagued by the heat.
      The plan involves all buses serving local public transport within the capital city, as well as the articulated tram-cars acquired in the 1980s. The cost estimate for the trams is approximately EUR 1.2 million, and the refitting is estimated to take two years.
     
The total costs of the air conditioning of the buses will amount to around EUR 1.5 million per year. Even though the first air conditioned buses will appear in Helsinki already next year, the conversion of all buses will take more than 10 years.
      So far, HKL has offered cool rides only on its 40 Bombardier low-carriage trams, which have brought their own problems in other respects.
     
The refitting project has two goals. HKL is seeking to improve the well-being of both passengers and drivers, while also wishing to get more customers.
      "Passenger cars have long had air conditioning as standard equipment. Hopefully this improvement will also persuade new customers to use public transport services", says planning director Ville Lehmuskoski from HKL.
     
Helsinki’s bus lines will have about 30 to 40 new buses with air conditioning every year. The refitting of all 450 buses will take more than a decade to complete.
      Moreover, HKL will include air conditioning in the quality requirements when inviting tenders for bus lines from transport operators.
      It is estimated that the air conditioning in public transport vehicles is of significant benefit to both passengers and drivers for four months per year on average. Air conditioning can cool down high temperatures or help to evaporate dampness that has accumulated in the vehicle.
      In 2003, a motorcyclist died in downtown Helsinki when he was struck by a tram derailing on the corner of Mannerheimintie and Aleksanterinkatu. Just before the accident, the tram driver suffered heatstroke and collapsed over the controls. At that point the temperature in the cab was 40°C.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Helsinki City Transport seeks leaseback deal for troubled Bombardier trams (20.4.2007)
  Heat wave affects Helsinki tram schedules (31.7.2003)

Links:
  Helsinki City Transport (HKL)

Helsingin Sanomat