Pisara Rail Link would reduce the number of buses in Helsinki city center

If the Pisara Rail Link goes ahead, it will connect the inner
city of Helsinki to the urban rail links. Commuter trains would run
underground in the inner city and stop at stations to be built in
Hakaniemi, the city center and Töölö.

The rail link would reduce the need for buses running to the
city center and thus improve air quality, reduce traffic noise and
release space for other uses. The number of buses would be reduced
in particular at the Central Railway Station and Eliel terminals.

HSL has completed a report on the impacts of the Pisara Rail
Link on bus and tram services. The aim is to integrate the surface
transport route network and rail services provided by the Pisara
Rail Link, to remove overlaps and make public transport more cost
effective while maintaining the current service level.

New terminals to be built in Käpylä and Mäntymäki

According to the study, the Pisara link would bring faster
connections for example from Tuusulanväylä to the city center. Bus
routes operating along Tuusulanväylä would terminate at Käpylä
station, from where passengers could continue to the city center by
train. The Käpylä bus terminal would be constructed on the rail
line. Tram route 1 would be turned into a trunk route between
Käpylä and the city center.

Some of the buses operating along Mannerheimintie would
terminate at a terminal constructed next to the Mäntymäki Field.
The terminal would be close to the Töölö station of the Pisara Rail
Link and would thus provide easy interchange between buses and
trains. Some of the buses operating along Lahdenväylä would
terminate at the Kalasatama terminal, which is already included in
earlier plans. Some direct connections from the west and
Lahdenväylä to the city center would still be provided.

Pisara Rail Link and the suggested changes would reduce the
operating costs of bus and tram services by about EUR 15.5. million
a year. The building costs of the new terminals are about EUR 13
million.