Helsinki’s new line 13 is very similar to the existing line 15, which is branded as “light rail”. Why is 13 not being called “light rail”? It will soon even use the same trams as line 15.
The video is in finnish, turn on subtitles if you don’t speak the language :D
The video lands on “Because HSL says so”.
But, generally it’s likely because line 13 expands the inner city tram network, while line 15 is currently the first and only “light rail” outer city line. There is no network overlap (yet).
As it covers greater distances and is an attempt to offer tram service to suburbanites, there was an emphasis on speed and reliability in the public messaging. Plans do have that new light rail network eventually spreading into the existing tram network (same gauge).
13 is the latest line built after 15, and seemingly incorporates all the newer design philosophies (and rolling stock) of line 15. The only real difference is that it expands the inner city network, rather than the as of yet separate suburbian one.
I’m curious to see if the X54 cars that’ll run on 13 will be painted green-yellow like the current inner city cars, or if it’ll be the first we see of the turquoise-white “high-speed” LRV branding outside the suburbs.