A Tram in Helsinki
The tram is an important form of transportation in Helsinki.
You can find the tram and the station easily.
It’s easy to ride and get off anywhere you like because the network covers the center of the city and the trams come often.
There are two magor differences between Finland and Japan.
First, you don’t need to show your ticket to the driver. However, if you are found by a ticket inspector that you didn’t buy a ticket, you’ll need to pay 80euro. It’s strict.
The second is that there aren’t any noisy announcements in the tram.
In Japan, you can hear the announcer say something like “The next stop is Mm. Please do not use a cell phone. Please give your seat to elderly people”
As for the tram in Tokyo, there are only two old trams, which are the Toden Arakawasen and Setagaya lines. They still run and are used by local people. Some people love them very much because of the nostalgia.
The ticket system is the same in Copenhagen, when it comes to city train and metro: ticket inspectors will appear unexpected and ask for the ticket. We don´t have trams anymore.
I see. Thanks for sharing. It’s interesting to know that there are various kinds of system related ticket.
I’m afraid of ticket inspectors even if I have a ticket.
I didn’t know the saying. I agree with you completly. It may be more strict than ours.
It looks just like the Toden Arakawa Line, but we don’t have such beautiful cobblestone streets.
I love trams. I enjoyed these photos! ^^
Thanks a lot. Generally, all trains, buses are old type in Finland. It’s like a train museum.
We have similar teams in Seattle, but mostly we use buses, which are pretty good. In Ireland I saw trams too. I found the announcements on Japanese trains interesting because I am still learning Japanese.
I see.It’s very interesting that you listen to the announcements for studying Japanese. As for us, it’s just sound noise.
Very interesting. =D I remember the MRTs in Singapore. There are lots of translations. Haha.. It’s filled with foreigners and they feel the need to translate them to English, Chinese, Malay… =p
I see.It’s interesting. In Finland, the announcements are only Finish and Swedish. I was surprised that there aren’t any English signs.
Nostalgic and lovely!! When I was a student of a junior high, I would watch the reflections of a sunset on the rails of trams on the way back home. Sweet old days!
keiko
Thank you. Certainly, I heard that there were trams in Japan. It must be a sweet day.
The tram has nice colors and very convenient. I like the old buildings in the first photo.
Thanks. The tram goes well old buildings. It inspired me a lot.
We have several trams (or trolley cars) not too far from my home. They don’t make too many announcements, because the ride is just for fun anyway. And if you look up ‘The Spaghetti Factory’ restaurant in Nashville, you can see a restaurant that has a tram in it. You can even eat lunch in it^^
That’s nice. Thanks for sharing. I was able to know that there were some trams all over the world.
Trams are great although we don’t have many in the UK.
I see. In the UK, it must be convenient to go to everywhere, I think.
Big cities have good transport – especially London with the underground trains and many buses – but rural areas aren’t served very well by public transport.
It’s same both in Japan and Finland. If many people come to the city, the city serves a good transport. I like thinking about city planning.
ヘルシンキ行ってみたいです。北欧はとても興味があるので羨ましいです！！
石畳の上を走るトラムいいですね。
建築やまちづくりに関心があるならヘルシンキはおすすめできます。見どころがたくさんあってまわりきれません。。
I reminds me of the streetcars I saw in Nagasaki. Of course, that was 9 years ago, so I don’t know what they have there now.
I see. There may be still some streetcars in Japan. Of course, there is a tram at railway museum.
That tram gives a feeling of nostalgia. It feels old and charming. Nice photos.
We have light rail here called TRAX:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRAX_(light_rail)
TRAX is similar to a tram. I didn’t know that. It’s very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Interesting blog and photos. I used to catch the trams in Melbourne when I lived there years ago.
Many thanks. That’s also good that you have trams. It must be nice.
Wow! These look so much like the trams we used to have in Melbourne. I always get more pleasure out of seeing trams in a city along with beautiful green parks
I see. As you say, it goes well green parks and old buildings like this.
I would like to visit Melbourne, someday.
Great colors for a tram!
Thank you!
I’m thinking of Matsuyama when I see those photos.
That’s nice that you remembered Matsuyama one. Tram is nostalgic.
Somehow, this tram looks old fashioned and modern at the same time.
I think a good transportation system is important for any city. Unfortunately where I live, the system is heading towards falling apart.
I think so. It’s very important to think about good system and move quickly.
Very interesting! We have a light-rail system (Metro) in St. Louis, too. I’ve only been on it a few times, though… as I don’t think it ‘branches out’ as much/far as this tram system seems to (I might be wrong about that, though).
Thanks a lot. It’s interesting that you also have a different way of trains.
Riding trams must be fun!
Defenitly. It was really fun for me.
As an elderly person — I think the Japanese announcements are excellent.
Cologne, in Germany, has trams and they operate on the “honor system” just like here.
I see. The “honor system” is a good word. It’s new to me.
I love the tram colors too.
Yes, the color is also fashicnating!
I’m amused by
“…In Japan, you can hear the announcer say something like “The next stop is Mm. Please do not use a cell phone. Please give your seat to elderly people”
Hmm. It’s a serious issue for me. It’s very noisy.
I think the trams in Helsinki are super nice! At least when you’re not in a hurry… But anyway, are there trams in Tokyo, too? I tried to find them on my trip, but never saw a tram there :O
Thank you for stopping by. I ride on a tram every day in Helsinki.
There are two trams in Tokyo.
都電荒川線
http://toden-arakawasen.tokyo-np.co.jp/
世田谷線
https://www.google.fi/search?q=%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E7%B7%9A&hl=en&prmd=imvnsl&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=58RUUNTdCObS4QTsq4GgDA&sqi=2&ved=0CDQQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=635
Really? Do you have a favorite tram line in Helsinki? I have tried only 1,3 and 4 so far..
Thanks! I might try those trams next time when I get to see Tokyo
Yes, I often ride 3T, 6, 9 and so on. There are many places where I need to go.
Very informative! I wish my place had tram or mtr too >0<
Thanks! I wish so. It’s very fun to ride on it.