Helsinki Metro

Helsinki Metro
M300, the newest train in use.
M100, the oldest class still in use, en route to Vuosaari
Overview
Native nameHelsingin metro
Helsingfors metro
LocaleHelsinki capital region, Finland
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines2
Number of stations30
Daily ridership304,000 (2017)
Annual ridership92.6 million (2019)
WebsiteHKL Metro
Operation
Began operation2 August 1982 (2 August 1982)
Operator(s)Helsinki City Transport and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd
Technical
System length43 km (26.7 mi)
Track gauge1,522 mm (4 ft 11+2932 in) Broad gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail

The Helsinki Metro (Finnish: Helsingin metro, Swedish: Helsingfors metro) is a rapid transit system serving the Helsinki capital region, Finland. It is the only metro system in Finland as well as the world's northernmost metro system. It was opened to the general public on 2 August 1982 after 27 years of planning. It is operated by Helsinki City Transport and Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd for Helsinki Regional Transport Authority and carries 92.6 million passengers per year.

The Helsinki Metro is a system separate from the main railway network in Finland, forming the core of public transport in Helsinki along with the Helsinki commuter rail, the Helsinki light rail and trunk bus lines in the capital region.

The system consists of 2 lines, serving a total of 30 stations, of which 21 are underground and 9 overground. It has a total length of 43 km (26.7 mi). It is the predominant rail link between the suburbs of East Helsinki and the western suburbs in the city of Espoo and downtown Helsinki.

The line passes under Helsinki Central Station, allowing passengers to transfer to and from the Helsinki commuter rail network, including trains on the Ring Rail Line to Helsinki Airport.

The metro system originally consisted of a single line from Rautatientori metro station to Itäkeskus metro station. It has since been expanded with a fork on the eastern end, with one end going to Mellunmäki metro station in the north and the other going to Vuosaari metro station in the east, as well as an extension to Ruoholahti metro station in the west end. The Länsimetro extension, opened on 18 November 2017, further expanded the system westwards via Lauttasaari metro station into the neighbouring city of Espoo to the Tapiola metro station and the Matinkylä metro station. On 3 December 2022 the line was further expanded to the west all the way to Kivenlahti metro station.

The two lines on the system mostly share the same track. Line M1 travels between Kivenlahti and Vuosaari while line M2 travels between Tapiola and Mellunmäki. In addition, in the morning line M1B travels between Itäkeskus and Vuosaari and line M2B travels between Itäkeskus and Mellunmäki, while in the evening line M2A travels between Kivenlahti and Mellunmäki.