HSL Won't Revert Tram Color Scheme Despite Criticism; Metro to Get New Look Too

Helsinki's public transport, a vital artery of the city, is undergoing a visual transformation that has sparked debate among local officials. The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) has announced it will not revert the new color scheme for its trams, a decision that has drawn criticism from figures like deputy mayor Paavo Arhinmäki and council vice-chair Anni Sinnemäki.

These officials argued in an opinion piece for Helsingin Sanomat that the traditional yellow-green color of the trams is an important part of Helsinki's urban landscape and its heritage. They believe the decision to paint the trams with white ends, deviating from the established look, should have involved public consultation. However, HSL's marketing director, Mari Flink, stands firm, stating that taste is subjective and that the change is driven by a 16-year effort to create a unified and recognizable brand identity for HSL's services.

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Tällaista ei ole suunnitteilla. Makuasiat ovat makuasioita.

Flink explained that this move aligns with a broader strategy to standardize the appearance of all HSL-operated transport. Buses are already blue (or orange for trunk routes), commuter trains are purple, and light rail lines are turquoise, all featuring similar white accents. The metro system is also slated to adopt this visual element in the 2030s. While acknowledging that the familiar yellow-green will remain on the trams, Flink emphasized that the new white elements are part of a continuous branding effort that began when HSL was founded, aiming for a cohesive look across the entire public transport network.

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Jo silloin, kun HSL perustettiin, päätettiin, että joukkoliikenteeseen tulee yhtenäinen ilme. Tämä on sitä samaa jatkumoa. Ilmettä on yhtenäistetty kuudentoista vuoden ajan.