Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL)

Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL)  is responsible for the planning and organization of public transport services in its member municipalities, as well as for the preparation of the Helsinki Region Transport System Plan. 

The member municipalities of the joint local authority are Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kirkkonummi and Sipoo. Later on, the rest of the municipalities in the Helsinki region may join in. These municipalities include Järvenpää, Nurmijärvi, Tuusula, Mäntsälä, Pornainen, Hyvinkää and Vihti. 

Tasks

The tasks of HSL comprise planning and organization of public transport in the region, improving operating conditions for public transport, procurement of bus, tram, metro, ferry and commuter train services and preparation of the Helsinki Region Transport System Plan. HSL is also responsible for public transport marketing, passenger information and ticket inspection and approves the fare and ticketing systems as well as ticket prices.

Expanding Helsinki region

Commuting both within the Helsinki metropolitan area and between the neighboring municipalities continues to increase. Today the Helsinki region is perceived to be much larger than earlier on; e.g. the  transport system plan will be prepared for the entire Helsinki region which includes 14 municipalities. Also public transport must be planned and organized in a larger geographical context.

HSL also helps to further increase the modal share of public transport and this will enable a viable transport system despite of increasing traffic. All this will contribute to a vibrant and competitive Helsinki region, improve the residents’ living conditions and quality of the environment as well as help to achieve the energy and climate targets in the region.