A new access route at the Meritie entrance of Finnoo Metro Station opened on 1 October.
The new A entrance, located on the upper level of the Meritie entrance building, provides a direct connection between the station and the upper-level Meritienaukio plaza and bus stops on Meritie.
The new route improves access to the metro, particularly for passengers arriving from nearby bus stops. The bus stop Finnoo (M), platform 22, was relocated closer to the station entrance, reducing walking distances between bus and metro services.
The lower-level B entrance remains in use, providing access to the lower level of Meritienaukio and the bicycle parking area.
The additional entrance connection was largely completed during the construction of the metro station and has now been opened as the surrounding area develops and passenger numbers increase. Before opening, temporary structures were removed and wayfinding signage was updated.
A communal showcase for the area’s residents is being piloted at the Kaitaa metro station. The first exhibition was created by the Kaitaa lower secondary school in collaboration with KAMU Espoo City Museum.
Photo: M. Partanen.
The visual arts-orientated group of the Kaitaa school’s eighth grade created the ‘Evolving kaitaa’ (Muuttuva Kaitaa) arts project. The project’s objective was to explore, reflect on and make visible the neighbourhood’s history and evolution through art. The project was implemented in collaboration with KAMU Espoo City Museum, and Länsimetro provided a showcase for the project at the metro station.
The exhibition was opened on Tuesday 11 March 2025 and will be on display until the end of April. The showcase is located at the entrance to the metro station, on the street level. The street address of entrance is Kaitaantie 14. The showcase is outside the paid zone. The paid zone, in which a valid travel ticket is required, begins at the ticket readers.
Students inspired by the neighbourhood and local history
“The school’s art project began in October with the students exploring the area and getting to know the local history. The students visited Villa Rulludd under the guidance of KAMU’s educators Helena Heikkilä and Iris Hyyrynen, who later gave an inspiring lecture on the area’s history. The students also went on walks to discover other areas in Kaitaa and examples of more recent architecture. To support their own artistic work, the students took visual notes by photographing,” says visual arts teacher Maria Annala from Kaitaa School.
Based on the background research, the students brainstormed and created their artwork using their chosen technique. The creations are pencil and coloured pencil drawings, watercolour and acrylic paintings, and three-dimensional scale models. Some of the creations depict a certain era, while others showcase the evolution of the neighbourhood through architecture.
In summer 2025, photographs of the art created for the Evolving Kaitaa project will also be on display at Lilla Villan on Espoo’s Pentala island. The photo exhibition will be organised in collaboration with KAMU.
A communal showcase at the metro station tells the story of the area
The students’ artwork is currently on display in the communal showcase at the Kaitaa metro station. The exhibition is the first in a series of pilot exhibitions at the metro station.
“At Länsimetro, we are looking for new ways to enliven the stations and highlight the areas surrounding the stations. Each of the West Metro stations features unique architecture and reflects the cityscape of their respective area. Exhibition activities at the metro stations have garnered interest over the years, and, inspired by an active teacher, we decided to pilot a communal showcase at Kaitaa,” says Länsimetro’s Communications Manager Marianne Partanen.
The Kaitaa showcase is intended as an exhibition space for the actors in the vicinity of the station, such as schools, day-care centres and recreation clubs. More information about the communal showcase
Further information
Kaitaa School’s art project: visual arts teacher Maria Annala (maria.annala@opetus.espoo.fi)
The metro station and the showcase: Communications Manager Marianne Partanen (marianne.partanen@lansimetro.fi, tel. +358 (0)43 825 9607
Länsimetro Oy’s Board of Directors has appointed Matias Johansson as the CEO of Länsimetro starting from March 1, 2025. Johansson has served as Länsimetro’s CFO since spring of 2017 and Länsimetro’s interim CEO since January 1, 2024. Johansson holds a Master of Philosophy degree.
Länsimetro Oy is a limited liability company that is jointly owned by the cities of Espoo and Helsinki. Länsimetro Oy is the owner of the modern metro infrastructure that will stand the test of time. Länsimetro Oy’s task is to own and develop the metro stations, rail line and metro systems. Länsimetro ensures that the metro remains an attractive and safe transport option and serves customers for decades to come.
Länsimetro Oy’s Board of Directors has appointed Matias Johansson as the CEO of Länsimetro starting from March 1, 2025. Photo: Sami Siilin Photography.
Further information:
Olli Isotalo, Chairman of the Board of Länsimetro Oy, tel. 050 593 3359
Matias Johansson, CEO, Länsimetro Oy tel. +358 40 590 0313, firstname.lastname(at)lansimetro.fi
You are warmly welcome to perform at the busking areas in metro stations.
The areas are intended for short (1–2h) performances, such as street music or other small performances.
The busking places cannot be reserved in advance, but can be used on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
Before starting a performance, please inform the metro’s security guards. If you cannot find a security guard at the metro station, you may begin performing. The security guards have the right to interrupt a performance if it disrupts the station’s operations.
The busking areas are not intended to be used to market or promote a private company or commercial product, or any ideological, religious or political stances.
Matias Johansson will serve as Länsimetro’s interim CEO starting on 1 January 2024, as Ville Saksi steps down from his role as CEO to take a position at another company. The interim CEO’s appointment will be in effect until a new CEO is appointed.
Johansson has served as Länsimetro’s CFO since spring of 2017.
Contact information
Matias Johansson, tel. +358 40 590 0313, firstname.lastname(at)lansimetro.fi
Ville Saksi will step down from his role of CEO at Länsimetro to join another company in January 2024. Saksi will continue to assume the duties of CEO until the end of 2023. CFO Matias Johansson is appointed as acting of CEO from 1 January 2024 until the board appoints a permanent CEO. Länsimetro immediately initiated the process of recruiting a successor for Saksi.
“I warmly thank Ville for his work as Länsimetro’s CEO and the excellent implementation of the second phase of the West Metro project. The project was completed in line with the set targets. Construction ended in 2022 and the project was EUR 100 million under budget. After the completion of the construction work, Saksi has successfully steered the focus of Länsimetro Oy’s operations from construction to owning the metro infrastructure,” says Olli Isotalo, Chair of Länsimetro’s Board of Directors.
“It has been great to be part of Finland’s largest infrastructure, HVAC and electricity and automation project and hold the position of Länsimetro’s CEO. This position has offered me a unique vantage point and the chance to work with outstanding professionals,” Saksi says.
Further information
Olli Isotalo, tel. 050 593 3359
Länsimetro Oy is the owner of modern metro infrastructure that will stand the test of time. Länsimetro owns nearly 50% of the Helsinki region’s metro line kilometres: the 21-kilometre rail line section from Ruoholahti in Helsinki to Kivenlahti in Espoo, 13 metro stations, an underground metro depot and the technical systems. Länsimetro’s task is to ensure that the metro infrastructure it owns is in good condition and safe throughout its life cycle.
Sustainability is also at the heart of the metro infrastructure’s ownership. Länsimetro’s sustainability programme was completed at the start of summer 2023. The programme concerns the entire group and covers all areas of Länsimetro’s operations from a sustainability perspective. It brings together the principles to be complied with in the operations in terms of ownership of the metro infrastructure, financials, construction and corporate governance. Representatives from different operational areas participated in drawing up the programme. The sustainability programme will be updated regularly.
“At Länsimetro, sustainability has been firmly integrated into our day-to-day operations. The programme aims to highlight and better understand what we already do sustainably and to identify development areas that will steer our actions and day-to-day activities in an increasingly sustainable direction. The purpose of the programme is also to encourage Länsimetro employees to adopt more sustainable practices and develop new sustainable actions,” says Director of Administration Mari Mannila.
The main sustainability themes guiding Länsimetro’s operations are described in the website’s Sustainability section. In addition, examples of the measures taken to promote sustainability at Länsimetro will be given in the company’s communications.
Länsimetro Oy will move to Keilaniemi in Espoo. From 19th June 2023 our new address will be Keilaranta 6, 02150 Espoo Our new mailing adress will be PL 15401, 02070 CITY OF ESPOO:
