Helsinki Trams Refurbished with Teknoware Lighting
The refurbishment of Helsinki’s classic articulated trams included new lighting utilising Teknoware’s modular LED solutions, designed to respect the original structure of the vehicles. The objective of the project was to preserve the distinctive appearance of these iconic trams while extending their service life with modern lighting.
A characteristic element of Helsinki’s tram network is its classic green-and-yellow articulated trams, first introduced in the seventies and eighties, manufactured by Valmet and Strömberg. The vehicles were modernised between 1993 and 2003, and since 2005, extensive refurbishments have been undertaken to ensure their longevity and reliability. Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of this fleet.
The lighting upgrade project, begun in 2025, involved replacing the trams’ old fluorescent luminaires with modern LED lighting. As the vehicles are an iconic part of Helsinki’s streetscape, the modifications were designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, preserving the original look while extending the trams’ lifespan.
“We approached the refurbishment project with a turnkey solution in mind,” says Jari-Pekka Tuomi, Project Manager for Fleet Services at Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd. “The goal was to replace the old fluorescent luminaires with LED technology with as little work as possible. On the recommendation of a colleague, we requested a proposal from Teknoware. During the early stages of the project, we discovered that, coincidentally, Teknoware had designed and supplied the original luminaires for these trams. The refurbishment became even more straightforward when the original drawings were found at Teknoware.”
Teknoware has been supplying lighting systems for rail transport since the 1970s. For the refurbishment project, a modular LED board solution with an aluminium body and polycarbonate diffuser was selected. Previously, the fluorescent luminaires left dimly lit areas within the diffuser, but with the LED upgrade, the entire surface is now evenly illuminated. The luminaires also feature step dimming, allowing light output to be adjusted anywhere between 25% and 100%. The installation work was carried out directly by simply replacing the old luminaires with minimal electrical work.
“Installation was particularly easy because the product was designed to fit the existing structure. It was important for us that the solution could be tailored to our diverse requirements: the lighting had to serve the needs of drivers, operators and passengers, as well as maintenance and service teams,” Tuomi continues.
The refurbishment project covered both the continuous light lines illuminating the entire carriage and the door luminaires. The first prototype vehicle has already been returned to service, transporting passengers on the network.
“Following the successful prototype, it is easy to roll out the modification to the remaining vehicles. We also value the fact that last-minute adjustment requests were accommodated, and the door luminaires could be made a little less bright, which has a significant impact on the working environment of the tram drivers,” Tuomi concludes.
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