Metro, tram services remain suspended as drivers go on strike

All commuter metro and tram services in Helsinki remained suspended as the drivers have started a two-day strike on Thursday morning.

The Tram and Metro Staff Union called the strike protesting against the plan to turn the operating authority of the municipality into a limited company in January.

The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL) earlier informed the commuters about the possible disruption in the transport sector.

People are seen to gather at the train and bus stands on Thursday morning resulting huge passenger rush in bus and train due to the strike.

HSL said there will be no replacement services during the work stoppage and the HSL urged the people who normally use the metro or tram services to use ridepool or cycle, if possible.

Other public transport services, however, will run as usual but especially buses running along the metro line are facing crowd.

The authority already outlined a list of alternative transport links by station and urged the people to use the HSL Journey Planner to find alternative public transport routes; excluding the metro and trams from the search.

The drivers will return to work on Saturday from 4:00am.