The 19.3-kilometer and 27-stop line is designed to complement public transportation in the capital region by providing connections not only to the airport via Mellunmäki, but also to the ring road and the Helsinki metro. Proponents have argued that the line will increase the appeal and status of the eastern neighborhoods along the line and will attract both commercial and residential construction to the area.
The city of Vantaa has calculated that around 60,000 new residents and 30,000 new jobs could be found on the line.
Construction is estimated to start next year, last about four years and cost a total of 606 million euros. However, the costs are predicted to exceed the benefits, as the city estimates that it could pocket almost 800 million euros from the sale of plots and land use agreements. According to Helsingin Sanomat.
Vantaa itself would cover 414 million euros of the project’s costs. In addition, the state would finance 177 million euros and the city of Helsinki 10.5 million euros.
According to Helsingin Sanomat, the proposal aroused opposition, especially among the Basic Finns. Many opponents from different party lines expressed their doubts about the correctness of the calculations. Kai-Ari Lundell (PS) even claimed that people have been misled and emphasized that the cost estimate has increased by a few hundred million euros, while the passenger estimate has dropped to around 30,000.
Maarit Raja-Aho The chairman of the county of Vantaa-Kerava welfare services (NCP) described the tram connection as too expensive and slow and criticized the project for not bringing any benefit to the western parts of Vantaa.
“I would even be willing to consider building a subway in Vantaa, because it would be a fast means of transportation,” he said.
Hanna Valtanen (The Greens) floated the idea of painting the trams neon green WrapperFinnish artist from Vantaa who was defeated in Eurovision 2023.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page
