FINLAND: Helsinki metropolitan area transport operator Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne has selected Stadler for a major contract to supply and maintain 63 Tango Nordic trams customised to the city’s requirements, with options for up to 120 more.
Signing of the contract approved by the operator on October 6 is subject to a 14-day standstill period.
The firm order will cover 30 unidirectional trams to replace Valmet vehicles dating from the 1970s and 1980s, and 33 bidirectional light rail vehicles to support the West Helsinki and the Vantaa light rail projects. The contract will include 30 years of maintenance and technical support, and the supply of spare parts from a local warehouse.
Demanding tender requirements
Stadler said the ‘landmark’ agreement is first tram order in Finland and strengthens its presence in the Nordic region.
Procurement began in 2021 through market dialogue with potential suppliers, and progressed as a negotiated procedure. CAF, Stadler and Škoda Transtech were invited to tender in April 2025, and final bids were submitted by Stadler and Škoda Transtech in July. Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne said Stadler’s bid was the only one that met the 1 600 requirements, which included technical matters, economic factors, environmental impact and the travel experience.
It said the Stadler trams to be manufactured at Siedlce in Poland represent proven technology and have affordable lifecycle costs.
‘We are convinced that the type of tram that we selected is the best possible for the demanding conditions of Helsinki’, said Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Chair Eetu Kinnunen.
Tango Nordic trams
The metre-gauge trams will be based on Stadler’s proven Tango platform, tailored to Helsinki specific needs. The styling has been developed in collaboration with Helsinki-based design and innovation studio Aivan to provided ‘harmonious integration’ with the city’s urban architectural character and visual identity.
The trams will feature a modern design, increased seating capacity and enhanced passenger comfort, with measures for energy efficiency including lightweight construction and systems to optimise driving. They will be designed for a long service life, with the use of durable materials, zero-emission steel and components with high recycled content helping to minimise the environmental impact throughout their lifecycle.
‘Passengers can look forward to a comfortable, modern tram that meets the highest standards’, said Ansgar Brockmeyer, EVP Sales & Marketing at Stadler.
