Track work brings major changes to Helsinki Train services

Track work will cause changes to train services on different routes in Helsinki Metropolitan Area from Tuesday, said the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL).

The K, I and P train will operate a reduced service on the sections of line between Helsinki, Tikkurila and Kerava as well as between Helsinki, Tikkurila and Helsinki Airport.

Furthermore, to enable smooth interchanges, changes will be made to the timetables of buses serving train stations.

There will be significant changes to the train services on the main line and Ring Rail Line. In addition, there will be changes to train departure platforms at Tikkurila station.

The changes to commuter train services will continue until October 27.

K trains will run every 20 minutes between Helsinki, Tikkurila and Kerava. The journey time will lengthen by 2–3 minutes. K trains will have additional carriages during peak hours Monday through Thursday.

I and P trains will run every 20 minutes on the section of line from via Tikkurila to Helsinki Airport. The journey times will lengthen by 2–6 minutes.

I and P trains will run every 10 minutes on the section of line from Hesinki via Myyrmäki to Helsinki Airport.

Every other I and P train will run the whole length of the line (Helsinki–Helsinki Airport–Helsinki). Every other I and P train will only run between Helsinki, Myyrmäki and Helsinki Airport. These trains will not stop at Vehkala station. This means that the trains run to/from Vehkala every 20 minutes.

Due to the changes to commuter train services, changes will also be made to the timetables of buses serving train stations between Myyrmäki and Tikkurila and between Tikkurila and Kerava.

Changes will be made to the timetables of Tuusula bus routes 641, 642, 642K, 643K, 665K, 961, 961B, Kerava bus routes 972, 973, 975, 976, 977, 977V, 978, 978K, 985 and Vantaa bus routes 587, 619, 623, 624, 631, 633N, 711, 711K, 721, 731, 734, 736, 738 and 739.

A few minor changes will be made to the timetables of VR commuter trains D and R from Tuesday. The changes will affect commuter train services especially in Kerava and Jokela. The timetables of D, R and Z trains will change again on June 24.

The improvement work carried out in Tikkurila will continue in the northern part of the rail yard in 2024. The work will include electrical, switch maintenance and platform improvement work as well as work on train safety devices.

The changes in Tikkurila are part of the Helsinki–Riihimäki rail project. The aim of the project is to increase the capacity of the busiest section of railway in Finland and reduce the line’s vulnerability to disruptions.

The purpose of the track work carried out by the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency in Tikkurila is to increase the number of tracks available for long-distance trains and commuter trains from the direction of Riihimäki and Lahti from three to four.

Most of the work will be carried out between April and October. During the work, two of the tracks in Tikkurila will be closed at different times as the project progresses. In addition, trains will be limited to lower speeds in the area, which is why it will be necessary to restrict the number of trains running via Tikkurila.