News

Länsimetro’s CEO will change

1.11.2023

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’s sustainability programme completed

3.8.2023

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

12.6.2023

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:

New phase, new look!

1.6.2023

Länsimetro Oy has entered a new phase of operations this year after the multi-year West Metro construction project was completed and commuter traffic began on phase II, the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section, in December 2022. Phase I consisted of constructing the Ruoholahti–Matinkylä section, on which commuter traffic began in November 2017.

“This year at Länsimetro, we have sharpened our new shared direction as an owner of modern metro infrastructure that will stand the test of time, creating strategic outlines for the years ahead. This has already led to concrete changes in many employees’ job profiles and in the summer, the expert organisation will move to Keilaniemi, into premises that are better suited for a team with fewer members than the project organisation. The Board of Directors approved Länsimetro Oy’s strategic outlines in its meeting in May. Länsimetro Oy operates in the background of the public transport operators as the expert organisation for owning and developing the metro infrastructure and uses its expertise to ensure that the metro is a successful, safe and attractive form of transport. Länsimetro will continue to carry out its own development tasks, including the construction and commissioning of the second entrances to the Kivenlahti and Koivusaari stations as the areas develop. Länsimetro will also participate with its expertise in the changes and development taking place in the urban environment,” says Ville Saksi, CEO of Länsimetro Oy.

Länsimetro’s new logo and colour scheme

Länsimetro’s look was freshened up to mark the beginning of a new phase and a shift in the focus of its operations. The new look is meant to further reinforce the company’s identity as an owner of modern metro infrastructure that will stand the test of time.

Länsimetro logo

  • The circle in the new logo depicts a station symbol. Länsimetro owns 13 metro stations: Lauttasaari, Koivusaari, Keilaniemi, Aalto University, Tapiola, Urheilupuisto, Niittykumpu, Matinkylä, Finnoo, Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti.
  • The letters L and M linked together inside the circle symbolise the metro track which comes in on one side and goes out on the other side of the circle in a continuous movement. The track section for commuter traffic owned by Länsimetro from Helsinki’s Ruoholahti to Espoo’s Kivenlahti is 21 kilometres long. The continuous line also illustrates that the metro track and stations in the Helsinki region continue to the east after the section owned by Länsimetro. The trunk metro line runs eastward from Ruoholahti and is owned by the City of Helsinki (Helsinki City Transport, HKL). Continuous co-operation is key.
  • The logo is blue. Länsimetro Oy is a mutual real estate company jointly owned by the City of Espoo (85%) and the City of Helsinki (15%). Länsimetro’s logo brings together the blue found in the logo of the City of Espoo and the blue hues of the Helsinki brand. The logo’s colours are also in line with the colour scheme used by Länsimetro’s key partners, Metropolitan Area Transport, Helsinki City Transport and the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL), because Länsimetro, as the owner of modern metro infrastructure and an expert organisation, works closely with the public transport operators in the Helsinki region.

Länsimetro’s brand colours are two fresh blue hues, an energetic green and a light beige. The colour palette is complemented by purple and yellow-orange

Länsimetro’s website has been updated to reflect the new visual identity. The contents have been updated to be consistent with the company’s ownership tasks and to describe the metro infrastructure owned by Länsimetro Oy. Contents on the different language pages will also be updated gradually. The social media channels will also be revamped to reflect the new look.

 

Kivenlahti’s Park & Ride facility is complete and will open to the public on Saturday 1 April 2023

6.4.2023

The parking facility was part of Länsimetro’s Matinkylä–Kivenlahti construction project, in which a 7 km rail section, 5 metro stations and an underground metro depot were built.

The Kivenlahti Park & Ride facility is located at the metro line’s western terminal in Kivenlahti. Users of the Park & Ride and metro commuters will enjoy even more convenience once Kivenlahti’s western entrance is opened to the public. Photo: M. Partanen.

The Kivenlahti Park & Ride facility has been completed and will open to the public on Saturday 1 April 2023. The facility is located at Kiviruukinkatu 2, in Kivenlahti, Espoo. The Park & Ride facility has 650 parking spaces, and 22 charging stations for electric cars. Solar panels installed on the roof of the building will generate electricity for the facility’s own consumption. The peak output will be 100 kWp. Construction of the Kivenlahti Park & Ride facility began in November 2021 and was carried out by Fira Oy.

Operated by EuroPark Finland Oy, the parking facility will be open 24/7. The cost of parking in the facility will be €2/12 hours, and €1 for each additional hour. More information on how parking fees are paid can be found on the info boards at the facility and on HSL’s website as of the opening day. HSL’s website also contains information on the locations, number of parking spots, prices and opening hours of all the Park & Ride areas. The payment methods of the different parking areas vary.

The Kivenlahti area is developing at the metro station’s west end

Users of the Park & Ride and metro commuters will enjoy even more convenience once Kivenlahti’s western entrance is opened to the public. Commuters currently access the Kivenlahti metro station from the entrance at Kivenlahdentori. So far, there are 98 parking spots close to the entrance. The metro station’s second entrance will be opened once construction in the area around the entrance is completed.

“New housing is being built in the area around the Kivenlahti metro station, and the area is becoming denser. A new business centre that will also house the Laurea University of Applied Sciences will be built on the new street Höyrylaivantie, which runs parallel to Länsiväylä. Kivenlahti metro station’s second entrance will be connected to the future business centre. The goal is for the business centre to be completed in autumn 2025, but a more accurate schedule can be expected once the contractual arrangements concerning moving the parking locations in the area are finalised,” says Project Director Hilkka Julkunen of the City of Espoo.

Read more about the evolving Kivenlahti area on the City of Espoo’s article: “Metro to bring new residents, jobs, services and educational institutions to Kivenlahti – Kiviruukki to grow into a unique bio- and circular economy innovation cluster”.

Kiinteistö Oy Kivenlahden liityntäpysäköinti is one of Länsimetro Oy’s subsidiaries. The owner’s task is to arrange the operation of the Park & Ride facility, and maintain and develop the parking facilities to better serve users.

Sustainability highlighted in metro infrastructure ownership

31.3.2023

The West Metro construction project ended in autumn 2022 and commuter traffic started up on the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section in December. After the construction project ended, the focus of Länsimetro’s operations shifted from construction to metro infrastructure ownership.

“The transition from construction to ownership has required, for instance, change management and a clarification of the shared direction. Länsimetro Oy operates behind the public transport operators as the expert organisation for owning and developing the metro infrastructure and uses its expertise to ensure that the metro is a successful, safe and attractive form of transport,” says Länsimetro Oy’s CEO Ville Saksi.

Länsimetro is the owner of the 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. In addition, Länsimetro owns the infrastructure that serves feeder traffic, for instance, the park & ride facilities and bus terminals.

Länsimetro ensures that the metro infrastructure in its ownership is maintained and developed wisely in terms of the life cycle to guarantee that the infrastructure functions well and safely long into the future. As the owner of the metro infrastructure, Länsimetro Oy contributes to ensuring that the metro remains an attractive transport option and serves customers for decades to come.

“As a responsible and cost-aware metro infrastructure owner, Länsimetro ensures that the metro infrastructure is in good condition and safe throughout its life cycle. Our task is to ensure that the maintenance and servicing services for the metro infrastructure are implemented throughout its life cycle in line with the set goals. We accentuate a proactive approach to infrastructure maintenance as surprising investment needs or repair backlog in metro infrastructure would not be in anyone’s interest,” says Maintenance Manager Juhani Penttilä, commenting on the tasks related to owning metro infrastructure.

Considering the environment and society was a key part of building the metro. Sustainability is also at the core of ownership and Länsimetro carries out long-standing work in the sphere of sustainability. We identify energy saving opportunities at our stations and in the infrastructure, for example.

“We want to continue to operate responsibly in tasks related to ownership, maintenance and development. This year, we will examine Länsimetro Oy’s operations through a sustainability lens and create a sustainability programme that cuts across all of the areas of our company’s operations. The objective is to encapsulate the sustainability aspects of our operations and help us identify improvement areas in metro infrastructure ownership,” says Director of Administration Mari Mannila.

Länsimetro’s Matinkylä–Kivenlahti project comes in EUR 100 million under budget

29.3.2023

Commuter traffic on the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section started in December 2022.

The final cost estimate for the construction of the second phase of the West Metro project, i.e. the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section, is EUR 1,042–1,050 million. The forecast is approximately EUR 100 million, i.e. 9%, less than the estimated cost (EUR 1,159 €M) in the project plan that was updated in 2018. In addition, the project’s financing costs were less than half the amount estimated in the project plan, and these savings will also largely be reflected in the metro’s future annual financing costs.

–The most significant reasons behind the project being completed according to the set targets were reliable cost data obtained from the Ruoholahti–Matinkylä project, strictly controlling the overall project and experienced professionals. The situation management model, a.k.a. war room concept, was an important tool for putting the organisation’s competence and knowledge into use. Cost targets cannot be reached if the targets set for the project’s scope, quality and schedule are not achieved. Successful projects are always the result of successful teamwork, stresses Länsimetro Oy’s CFO Matias Johansson.

The project plan that was drawn up in 2012 for the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section was adjusted and supplemented in 2018, after the completion of the first phase of the West Metro project, i.e. the Ruoholahti–Matinkylä section. Commuter traffic on the first phase began in November 2017. As the outcome of the first phase, up-to-date information was obtained on the technical requirements and actual costs of building the underground metro, and this information was applied in the second phase of the project. In connection with the updated project plan, the cost estimate increased from EUR 801 million to EUR 1 159 million. The main reasons for the cost adjustments included a change in the surface areas of the stations, adjusted construction costs, a change in how the Espoonlahti bus terminal would be implemented, networking of the stations, extension of the Kivenlahti turnaround track, the addition of a firefighting shaft in Finnoo, reinforcing of the client organisation and schedule changes.

Commuter traffic on the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section started in December

When the project plan was updated, the schedule was also adjusted: the target was set for the project to be completed in 2023. The Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section was opened to the public earlier than planned, on 3 December 2022. The construction contracts for the stations and the rail line wrapped up in May 2022, after which the test runs continued until September.

– Completion of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti project in accordance with the set cost and schedule targets was possible thanks to the project’s effective operating methods and close co-operation, not to mention the project organisation’s strong competence and experience. The project’s organisational model and operating and management methods were developed at the start of the second phase’s construction, sums up Länsimetro Oy’s CEO, Ville Saksi.

The project comprised the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section’s 7 kilometres of rail section, 5 metro stations, an underground depot and the construction of park & ride facilities at Kivenlahti, Kaitaa and Finnoo. The Kivenlahti park & ride facility was recently completed and will be opened to the public at the start of April. The full and final costs of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section will only be known once all the work included in the project plan is completed.

Länsimetro Oy is the owner of the modern metro infrastructure

Länsimetro Oy has now shifted the focus of its operations from the construction project to duties related to metro infrastructure ownership. Länsimetro Oy’s mission is to take care of the metro infrastructure throughout its life cycle to ensure that it functions well and safely long into the future.

The Helsinki region’s metro line is the backbone of west-east public transport. 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 all the related technical systems. Länsimetro also owns the infrastructure that serves feeder traffic, for instance, the park & ride facilities and bus terminals. Länsimetro Oy is a limited liability company jointly owned by the cities of Espoo and Helsinki.

The busiest stations on weekdays on Länsimetro’s section in 2022 were Matinkylä (20,700 users/day), Lauttasaari (16,400 users/day) and Tapiola (14,200 users/day) (Source in Finnish https://kaupunkiliikenne.fi/liikennointi/metrolla/metroasemien-kayttajamaarat/ ). In 2022, the metro had 70 million commuters.

Further information

  • Ville Saksi, CEO of Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0) 40 823 2086
  • Matias Johansson, CFO of Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0) 40 590 0313
  • Marianne Partanen, Communications Manager, Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0) 43 825 9607

Länsimetro’s Matinkylä–Kivenlahti project is completed

13.10.2022

Länsimetro’s Matinkylä–Kivenlahti project was completed in line with the set targets. The project’s efficient practices and close co-operation, as well as the project organisation’s solid expertise and experience made it possible to adhere to the schedule. Commuter traffic along the section will begin on 3 December 2022.

The project was completed in line with the targets set in the project plan and its adjustment. Implementation of the project was mainly the responsibility of the integrated client organisation consisting of experts from Länsimetro and the construction consultant Sweco PM. Close co-operation and efficient practices enabled the completion of Finland’s largest infrastructure, HVAC and electricity and automation project on schedule.

“We used the experiences and lessons learned from the first construction phase of the West Metro project in the second construction phase. Based on them, we made changes to e.g. management and the project’s organisation model. We monitored the schedule, costs, risks, quality issues, co-operation and occupational safety based on the situation management model,” sums up Länsimetro’s CEO Ville Saksi. ”Our shared targets were also refined and collaboration was tightened regardless of organisational boundaries (Experts from Länsimetro and the construction consultant Sweco worked in shared facilities based on the big room model. Risks were identified and prevented through effective risk management measures.”

Luck was also involved in the construction of the West Metro extension as the key phases of the construction project, such as procurement, took place before the Covid-19 pandemic and the accelerating inflation caused by the war in Ukraine.

“All of the project’s major procurements were made before the dramatic rise in costs. If we had to start building the West Metro now, the price tag for the project would be significantly larger. The pandemic did not have any major impact on the project either, because construction had proceeded far enough when it hit. The project organisation’s operations were well-established and we were a tight-knit team when the pandemic struck,” says Ville Saksi.

Jaakko Naamanka, Project Director at Sweco PM, is happy with the end result of the project. “The project was completed to the day planned in the schedule set i. That is an incredible achievement in a megaproject like this. For that, we have to thank Länsimetro’s joint project organisation that was responsible for the implementation of the project as a whole and all the parties that contributed to the project,” says Project Director Naamanka.

This was the first time that the situation management model was used in managing a public construction project of this size. “The project’s successful management was based on situation management, in which the project’s decision-making is based on situational information that is as real-time and accurate as possible. Based on situational information, the project management can identify deviations from the set targets as early as possible and apply corrective measures. A prerequisite for successful situation management is high-quality scheduling and target-setting, and accurate situational information,” says Naamanka.

The construction of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section was decided in 2014 and the multi-year construction project began with excavation in late 2014. The construction projects ended in May 2022, after which the test runs continued until September. Länsimetro Oy has handed over the management of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section’s stations, rail line and depot to the traffic operator Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd. After the completion of construction, Länsimetro Oy will remain the owner, maintainer and developer of the rail line, stations and metro system west of Ruoholahti.

Commuter traffic on the first phase, i.e. the Ruoholahti–Matinkylä section, began in November 2017. Commuter traffic on the new Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section will begin on 3 December 2022.Further information:
Ville Saksi, CEO of Länsimetro Oy, tel. +358 (0) 40 823 2086, ville.saksi@lansimetro.fi

West Metro project, Project Director, Jaakko Naamanka, Sweco Oy, tel. +358 (0) 400 421 143, jaakko.naamanka@sweco.fi

New section of metro line from Matinkylä to Kivenlahti to open on 3 December

13.10.2022

The metro will start operating to Kivenlahti in Espoo on Saturday 3 December. The new section of line is seven kilometers long, with five new stations: Finnoo, Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti.

Once the new stations are operational, there will be 30 metro stations in total. The metro network in Helsinki and Espoo is now 43 kilometers long.

The metro was extended from Ruoholahti to Matinkylä with eight new stations in 2017, when the first phase of the West Metro was completed. Since then, the works have continued to the west of Matinkylä.

– The timelines and costs of the construction of the metro extension were kept in line with the decisions of the Espoo City Council, says Olli Isotalo, the Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment, the Chairman of the Board of Länsimetro.

– Even though the metro starts operating, construction continues around the stations. In the existing areas of Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti development will be concentrated around the stations and services will improve. A completely new residential area will be created in Finnoo, continues Isotalo.

– The metro is now complete. The work of decades is coming to an end, although work to develop the metro will continue. The metro is the most popular mode of public transport: 93 percent of our customers gives the metro a good or very good rating. The environmentally friendly metro has a revolutionary impact on people’s mobility in its area, and it is also very important for the vitality of the capital region and Finland as a whole, says HSL Executive Director Mika Nykänen.

There will be no changes to feeder bus services when the new section of line opens. The metro will run in parallel with the current services for a few months. New bus routes aligned with the new section of metro line will be introduced in early 2023. The final date will be announced later.

The new metro timetables as well as bus routes and timetables will be available on the HSL Journey Planner well before the changes take effect.

The city grows with the metro line

Even though the metro runs underground in Espoo, its impacts are also felt above the ground.

The metro extension brings with it plenty of new opportunities, such as new services, apartments and jobs, thus increasing the vitality of the city. With the metro, a completely new neighborhood, Finnoo, is being created and the attractiveness of existing developments increases. The metro zone in Espoo has a growth potential of 70,000 new residents and potential for a 100 percent increase in the number of jobs by 2050.

–  The metro supports the city’s network-like structure of five city centers and sustainable urban development. Compact centers are built next to and on top of the metro line, with areas dominated by detached houses around them, explains the Mayor of Espoo, Jukka Mäkelä.

— The growth corridor of the West Metro is also crucial for the competitiveness of Espoo and Finland as a whole, and significantly promotes cooperation between companies, universities and cities, continues Mäkelä.

Western Espoo along the new section of the metro line has the biggest growth potential for public transport in the HSL area.

Frequent service and safe journeys

The metro is operated by the Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd, which is also responsible for property maintenance and system supervision on the entire metro line.

– Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd and our 150 metro drivers are ready for the extension of metro services. We have prepared for the launch of services through various preparatory works. In addition to driver training and test runs, we have worked to ensure the operability of the section of line and that all technical control systems function properly when the services start. The metro is one of the most important parts of our operations. Its safety and reliability are a matter of honor to us, says the acting CEO of the Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd Antti Nousiainen.

Stations display architectural prowess

The Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section of the West Metro was completed in September. The construction project met all the the objectives set for it, such as objectives related to scheduling, costs, risks, quality, cooperation and occupational safety. After construction, Länsimetro Oy will be the owner of the tracks, stations and the metro system from Ruoholahti westwards, as well as responsible for their maintenance and development.

– The West Metro stations are architecturally attractive, Finnish architectural expertise at its best, and the unique stations serve as business cards for the areas. We eagerly look forward to welcoming passengers to the new metro stations and to enjoy the benefits of this fast mode of public transport safely, says the CEO of Länsimetro Oy Ville Saksi

The City of Espoo website: www.espoo.fi
Helsinki Region Transport website: www.hsl.fi
Metropliran Area Transport Ltd website: www.kaupunkiliikenne.fi
Länsimetro Oy website: www.lansimetro.fi

 

More information:

Espoo, Deputy Mayor for Urban Environment Olli Isotalo, +358 50 593 3359, olli.isotalo@espoo.fi

HSL, Executive Director Mika Nykänen, tel. +358 9 4766 4040

Länsimetro Oy, CEO Ville Saksi, tel +358 40 823 2086

Metropolitan Area Transport Ltd, Head of Unit Antti Nousiainen, tel. +358 40 579 6074

Kivenlahti park and ride facility reaches topping out milestone

16.9.2022

Länsimetro is commissioning the Kivenlahti park and ride facility, which is being implemented by Fira Oy. Construction of the Kivenlahti park and ride facility began in November 2021, and it will be completed in spring 2023. The park and ride facility’s topping out milestone was celebrated on the construction site in early September. HVAC and electrical work and roof work, among other things, are currently under way. The work to be carried out in the autumn includes the installation of elevators and solar panels, levelling and painting, as well as work on the building’s facade.

Approximately 650 park and ride spaces for cars, as well as electric car charging points and 50 parking spaces for bicycles, are being built in the parking facility. The parking facility is located on the western side of the Kivenlahti metro station, next to the station’s western entrance building. When metro traffic starts up in 2023, the western entrance cannot be opened to commuters due to other construction projects in the area.

The construction contracts for the metro stations and track of the Matinkylä–Kivenlahti section ended in May 2022. The Länsimetro construction project will hand over the section to Metropolitan Area Transport in the autumn, marking the end of the largest infrastructure, HVAC and electricity and automation project in Finland. When construction ends, Metropolitan Area Transport and HSL will conduct preparatory work related to the start of commuter traffic. The precise date of the start-up of metro service will become clearer as the work progresses.

Construction of the Kivenlahti park and ride facility began in November 2021. The building reached its topping out milestone at the start of September. Photo: M. Partanen.