HSL considers repainting Helsinki trams green and yellow

Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) is reviewing whether to give all trams a unified green-and-yellow colour scheme, a change estimated to cost 1.2 million euros, Yle reports.

HSL is seeking views from customers and experts as it assesses the colours used across its vehicle fleet. Older trams in central Helsinki are green and yellow, while rapid trams are turquoise. The two types are expected to share tracks in the city centre in the future.

The review will consider how different colour schemes affect vehicle recognition, traffic safety, accessibility and the cityscape. It will also estimate the cost and timetable for any changes. HSL is conducting the work with the branding and design agency Bond, at a cost of about 30,000 euros.

An online survey will be sent to 20,000 HSL customers selected from across the transport authority’s member municipalities. They will be asked to assess keeping the current colours or making the tram fleet uniformly green and yellow. The review will also consider possible minor changes to the colours of other public transport vehicles.

The current colour scheme was decided in 2010. A proposal to restore a fully green-and-yellow colour scheme for central Helsinki trams was submitted to the city council in May 2026 and helped prompt the review. HSL’s board is due to decide on any changes in January 2027.