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New energy-efficient, low-floor trams heading to Helsinki

Posted: 24 October 2016 | Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

The Nordic Investment Bank has recently signed a €60 million long-term loan agreement with Helsinki City Transport (HKL) for the purchase of 40 new energy-efficient, low-floor trams…

The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) has recently signed a €60 million long-term loan agreement with Helsinki City Transport (HKL) for the purchase of 40 new energy-efficient, low-floor trams.

Copyright: HKL

Copyright: HKL

The loan, with a maturity of 20 years, will finance the tram purchase as part of the municipal investment programme aimed at improving the service quality and productivity of public transportation in Helsinki. HKL will purchase the Artic model trams manufactured by the Finland-based Transtech Ltd and they will replace the current fleet built in the 1970s.

The new fleet will be more energy-efficient, offer more comfort and better access for wheelchairs and prams, and have a passenger capacity by 50% greater than the older trams.

“NIB has a long track record of co-financing improvements to public transportation in Helsinki. We believe that creating an efficient and comfortable public network for daily commuting helps communities reduce their carbon footprints and brings us closer to a carbon-free economy,” says Henrik Normann, NIB President and CEO.

“Long-term financing is essential for the implementation of competitive public transport projects. The loan from NIB secures the acquisition of the Artic trams for Helsinki, which are designed for the challenging Finnish conditions, and are excellent with regards to noise levels and maintenance requirements,” says Ville Lehmuskoski, HKL President and CEO.

HKL is a municipal operator company responsible for running the trams and the metro as well as construction and maintenance of track, stations and depots in Helsinki.

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