Helsinki politicians push to restore traditional yellow-green tram colours

Helsinki’s deputy mayor and a city council deputy chair have called for the city’s iconic yellow-green trams to retain their traditional colours, opposing a planned redesign by regional transport authority HSL.

Deputy Mayor Paavo Arhinmäki and city councillor Anni Sinnemäki—both writing in Helsingin Sanomat—argued that the decision to alter the trams’ colour scheme was made without consulting residents or city officials. The politicians stressed the yellow-green combination is a defining part of Helsinki’s urban identity.

“These colours are familiar and distinctive to Helsinki,” Sinnemäki told public broadcaster Yle. She and Arhinmäki aim to rally cross-party support to reverse the change, noting Helsinki’s influence as a major HSL stakeholder.

HSL announced in June 2025 that trams would adopt a modified design as the network expands, featuring white ends with curved HSL branding. The authority stated the update seeks a “cohesive look” for central Helsinki’s tram fleet, while turquoise rapid-tram lines (like route 15) will keep their current colour.

Sinnemäki criticised the process, stating the decision was internal to HSL’s management—not its board—and claimed it could still be overturned. The pair also oppose proposals to repaint metro trains’ orange fronts white.

New trams began test runs in Laajasalo in September 2025, with full service expected to start later. HSL has not commented on the politicians’ campaign.