FINLAND: Helsinki transport operator HKL has exercised an option for Siemens Mobility to provide automation equipment for the 14 km, seven station extension of the capital's metro westwards to Espoo.

The contract announced by Siemens on September 28 is worth €56m. It follows a €100m deal covering automation of the existing 21 km Y-shaped network which was signed last December.

Siemens will supply automatic control systems, the operations control centre, onboard communications, platform-edge screens and passenger information systems.

Driverless operations will begin on the existing lines on 2013, followed by the Espoo extension when it opens in 2014.