FINLAND: Verkehrs Industrie Systeme of Halberstadt has begun supplying Helsinki city transport company HKL with low-floor centre sections to lengthen 41 two-section articulated trams dating from the mid-1980s.

A prototype centre section was designed by HKL two years ago, with VIS supplying components. After positive feedback for passengers VIS won a €15m order to build and assemble the remaining 41 sections, and the first was inserted into a tram at HKL’s Käpylä depot last month. One centre section is due to be delivered every two weeks from January. The extensions are extend the life of the trams by 15 to 20 years.