Light rail line 15

The light rail line running between Keilaniemi and Itäkeskus will replace the trunk bus line 550. The Jokeri Light Rail Alliance completed the project ahead of schedule, and the light rail line started operating on 21 October 2023.

The light rail line, which was built through the Jokeri Light Rail project, runs between Keilaniemi in Espoo and Itäkeskus in Helsinki. It will replace the trunk bus line 550, which is the busiest bus line in the Helsinki region.

The light rail line 15 increases the reliability, capacity and comfort of cross-town transport services. It has also introduced an entirely new form of transport to the capital region. The light rail line 15 mainly runs in its own lanes with traffic signal priority, and the trams can be driven in both directions. Travelling by light rail is fast as the stops are located further apart than those used by trams in the Helsinki city centre. There are 12 stops in Espoo.

Light rail passengers can transfer to the metro in Keilaniemi, Otaniemi and Itäkeskus and to a train in Leppävaara, Huopalahti and Oulunkylä.Photo: Espoon kaupunki

Implementation through the alliance model

The Jokeri Light Rail was built using the alliance model. This means that the client organisation formed by the cities of Helsinki and Espoo and the designers and contractors were combined into one project organisation. The designer group was formed by Ramboll Finland, Sitowise and Sweco, while the contractors were YIT and NRC Group Finland. The parties to the alliance designed and constructed the track together, sharing the risks and benefits related to the project.

Sustainable Growth

There will be approximately two million residents and over a million jobs in the capital region in 2050. The goal is to steer the increased mobility resulting from the population growth into sustainable modes of transport: public transport, walking and cycling.

New housing and workplaces have been built and are being planned along the light rail line in Perkkaa, Otaniemi and Keilaniemi, among other areas. It is sensible and sustainable to build housing and services along the light rail route. Thanks to the proximity of services and the fast light rail, residents will have less need to use their own car.

Inconveniences caused by the construction work were minimised, for example, through effective temporary traffic arrangements. The smooth operation of bus line 550 has been ensured throughout the project, and the construction areas were designed to be safe and accessible.

The first light rail test runs in Espoo started at the beginning of February 2023. The technical test runs were completed in June 2023.

The light rail line 15 started operating on Saturday 21 October 2023.

Read more about light rail line 15 on the HSL website(external link, opens in a new window)

The whole Espoo