Uilo Rapid Metro System

The Uilo Rapid Metro System, branded as the Uilo Metro (Finnish: Uilon metro), is a medium-capacity rapid transit system in the city of Uilo, Arola. The first stage of the system, the City Line (Line M2) project, opened on August 5, 2022 with 8 stations. Upon its opening, it became the northernmost metro system in the world, taking the title from the which opened 40 years earlier.

A rail system in Uilo has been the subject of debate since the 1990s, when the city was gaining immense economic growth. The project was finally approved by the City of Uilo in 2009, following the completion of Kelvia light rail. Future expansions for the system include two more lines that will expand the system into the inner suburbs and outskirts of the city, as well as a planned extension of the existing Line M2.

History
A rapid transit system in Uilo was first conceived as early as the 1990s, when the Uilo city government began studying the feasibility of such a system. However, little progress was made until construction of the Kelvia light rail began in 2001, when plans for the metro began to be drawn up. In early 2006, public transport officials sent a proposal for two heavy rail lines to be built, both of them radiating from the downtown area. This was later downgraded to a medium-capacity rail system similar to the and the first two stages were finally approved by the city government in 2009, followed by the second line in 2014.

In March 2010, the Uilo Metro Corporation was formed to oversee the construction and future expansions of the system. Construction of stages 1 and 2 began in April 2013, with completion then estimated for 2020 and stage 3 to be opened in 2023. The first two stages would form the core section of Line M2, also known as the City Line, with a total of 11 stations. However, due to construction delays and the, the completion of the initial system was delayed, with the first section now due to open in 2022.

On August 4, 2022, the opening ceremony of the Uilo Metro took place, with Prime Minister Liisa Makkonen, the governor of Valtala Esko Leinonen and the mayor of Uilo Ruuben Aravirta attending, with commercial operations beginning the following day. Stage 2 of Line M2 later opened on October 20, 2023, extending the line by 4.8km to Kaukhava.

Construction on the third stage, consisting of Line M1 (Northern Line), began in October 2016, consisting of 5 new stations from Civic Square to the district of Havukoski, and is currently estimated to be completed in 2025.

Planning for stages 4 and 5 began in 2021, which is planned to include an extension of Line M1 and a future Line M3. The proposal for both stages were approved by the city government in June 2023, with completion scheduled in the early 2030s. An eastern extension of the Line M2 to Odensö is currently being evaluated.

Rolling stock
The first three stages of the Uilo Metro uses four-car trains, built in,. The trains are similar to that used on the and, albeit with a customised exterior design. A total of 30 sets were procured for the initial system and use 750 V third rail.

The Uilo city government plans to procure similar trains for subsequent stages, although a manufacturer has not been selected yet.