Swiss vehicle manufacturer Stadler has secured one of the largest tram orders in Scandinavia: transport company Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikenne Oy, operator of the tram network in the Greater Helsinki area, has ordered 63 new Tango Nordic trams, with an option for up to 120 additional vehicles. This could see the fleet grow to a total of 183 units in the future. The contract covers not only the delivery of the vehicles, but also a long-term maintenance agreement spanning more than 30 years, including the supply of spare parts and the establishment of a local logistics system.
Besides Stadler, also CAF and Škoda Transtech participated in the tender, although final offers were only received by Stadler and Škoda Transtech. For Stadler, this is its first tram order in Finland and a further strategic step towards strengthening its market position in the Nordic countries. The company has been supplying FLIRT trains to Finnish and Norwegian rail operators for many years and has extensive experience in vehicle construction for extreme climatic conditions. This expertise was an important factor in winning the contract, as Helsinki’s tram network places high demands on vehicles and components due to cold winters, snow, ice and frequent temperature changes.
The Tango Nordic is a variant of the proven Tango family that has been specially adapted for the Finnish market. The design is tailored to the infrastructural and climatic requirements (down to -35°C) of the network in Helsinki. In total, the specification included 1600 requirements. The focus is on energy efficiency, comfort and durability. According to the manufacturer, the vehicle offers high environmental compatibility throughout its entire life cycle thanks to its lightweight construction, efficient drive systems and robust materials. The interior has also been adapted to the needs of urban public transport, with generous multi-purpose areas for prams, bicycles and wheelchairs.
Key technical data is based on previous versions of the Tango platform, whose modular design allows for a wide range of variants:
| Characteristics | Assumed values for Tango Nordic Helsinki |
|---|---|
| Vehicle length | 30 m (unidirectional version, “type A”) 33 m (bidirectional version, “type B”) |
| Vehicle width | 2.4 m |
| Number of axles | 8 |
| Number of car sections | 3 |
| Lowfloor percentage | Up to 70 % |
| Minimum curve radius | ca. 12 m |
| Crash norm | EN 15227 |
| Car body material | Steel |
The specific technical parameters of the Finnish version – such as carriage length, number of seats and exact low-floor area – have not yet been published. However, it is clear that Stadler will optimise the vehicle for the special climatic challenges. These include heated entrance areas and joints, reinforced door mechanisms, powerful air conditioning and a highly insulated passenger compartment.
The new Tango Nordic trams in Helsinki are the direct successors and additions to the proven Artic vehicles from Škoda Transtech, which have formed the backbone of the tram fleet since 2013. The Artic trams, developed in Finland and built in Otanmäki, are considered extremely robust and optimally adapted to the climatic conditions of the region. Their design, with fully bogie-mounted running gear, winter-proof technology and high reliability, has proven itself in more than a decade of operation.
Stadler’s Tango Nordic follows a similar basic principle – also with conventional bogies and high modularity – but is intended to offer advanced solutions in several areas. These include a lighter vehicle structure, optimised energy efficiency, improved sound and vibration damping, and an even more accessible passenger compartment with wider aisles and variable multi-purpose areas. While the Artic trams are mainly used in one- and three-car versions with a length of around 27 metres, the Tango Nordic could be available in different lengths to cover future network expansions and capacity increases.
It is already apparent that the end carriages of the Tango rest on two bogies and the middle carriage is designed as a bogie, whereas in the Artic vehicles, the middle carriage rests on two bogies and the end carriages are mounted on one bogie.
It is noteworthy that Stadler has responded to a tender with its Tango product for the first time in several years, while the TINA platform has been offered in most tenders (most recently in Gera, Baselland, Halle/Saale, Darmstadt, Rostock and The Hague).
The modernisation of the tram fleet is a key component of Helsinki’s transport transition. The city is growing, and with it the demand for attractive, environmentally friendly mobility options. The new vehicles are not only intended to increase capacity, but also to improve passenger comfort and accessibility. In conjunction with the ongoing network expansion – such as the extension of the lines to Laajasalo and Espoo – the Stadler order is thus becoming an important component of the city’s transport strategy.
As far as the rolling stock is concerned, the focus is on replacing the 52 obsolete MLNRV I and II (Velmet) high-floor railcars, which were built between 1973 and 1987 and fitted with low-floor centre sections in the 2000s.
For Stadler itself, the contract is a significant success. In addition to its economic volume, it strengthens confidence in the manufacturer’s ability to offer comprehensive service packages throughout the entire life cycle – a decisive factor in modern tenders. By establishing local maintenance infrastructure and spare parts supply, Stadler is also creating long-term jobs in the region.
It is still unclear when the first vehicles will be delivered. Industry experts expect the first series to go into service in the mid to late 2020s, subject to type approval and technical testing. If the option for 120 additional units is exercised, delivery would likely be planned in several phases to meet both replacement and expansion needs.
08.10.2025
