Helsinki’s Crown Bridges tram services began operating on Saturday, 7 November 2026, establishing a new public transport connection between the eastern district of Laajasalo and central Helsinki. The two new routes cross Kruunuvuorensilta, Finland’s longest bridge, and provide direct links to several parts of the capital.
The first tram left Korkeasaari at 10 am, carrying passengers across the 1,191-metre Kruunuvuorensilta. The opening attracted large crowds, with trams filling up during the first hours of service. However, Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) said operations began as scheduled despite the high passenger turnout.
“The start of operations has gone according to plan,” said Johan Nykvist, director of operations at City Transport Oy, in an HSL statement. He said the services had carried many passengers, but frequent departures meant there was still sufficient capacity. The trams were operating according to weekday timetables during the launch.
The new routes are designed to improve connections between Laajasalo and districts including Hakaniemi, Kalasatama and Pasila. Previously, many journeys from the island district required passengers to travel through Herttoniemi using buses and the metro. The new tram connection provides a more direct alternative.
Line 11 connects Kruunuvuorenranta with Pasila through Kalasatama. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes, with trams operating every 15 minutes on weekdays between 5.50 am and 9 pm.
Line 12 runs from Yliskylä to Helsinki Central Railway Station via Hakaniemi. The journey takes around 21 minutes. Weekday departures are scheduled every 7.5 minutes, with services running from 5.50 am until 1.30 am.
Helsinki Mayor Daniel Sazonov described the opening as an important investment in the city’s development. He said the new connection brings Laajasalo closer to central Helsinki and makes it easier for residents to reach workplaces and services.
The Crown Bridges project has been under construction since October 2021. The development consists of three bridges with a combined length of 1,931 metres. Its most prominent structure, Kruunuvuorensilta, measures 1,191 metres and features a 135-metre pylon.
The bridges are designed for trams, pedestrians and cyclists. Private cars and other ordinary motor vehicles are not permitted, although emergency vehicles are allowed to use the route. Pedestrians and cyclists gained access to the bridge network in April 2026, ahead of the start of tram operations.
The wider project includes approximately eight kilometres of tram tracks. Services are operated using 34.5-metre Artic X54 trams, each with capacity for up to 180 passengers.
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HSL estimates that the two routes could carry approximately 23,000 passenger journeys per day by 2030. The forecast reflects the expected role of the new connection in serving Laajasalo’s residents and improving public transport links across eastern Helsinki.
The tram network also provides year-round public transport access to Korkeasaari Zoo. It improves connections to nearby recreational destinations, including Mustikkamaa, making the area more accessible to residents and visitors without a car.
HSL chief executive Vesa Silfver said Laajasalo residents had waited a long time for the connection. He noted that the new routes would allow passengers to reach several parts of Helsinki without changing vehicles.
City Transport Oy is responsible for operating the services and maintaining the infrastructure and trams. The company completed technical inspections and driver training before the launch to prepare for the start of regular operations.
HSL project manager Teuvo Syrjälä described the atmosphere during the opening as positive, although passenger figures from the first day were not yet available. Local organisations in Kruunuvuorenranta and Yliskylä also organised events to mark the beginning of tram services.
