According to the survey that was conducted in January, metro passengers were more optimistic about the changes than passengers using bus services: 83 per cent of metro passengers were either fairly or very satisfied with HSL’s public transport services, giving the services a rating of 4 or 5 on a scale of 1 to 5. As regards bus passengers, 69 per cent gave the services a rating of 4 or 5.
A total of 850 passengers took the survey. Survey cards were handed out between 9 and 20 January at bus stops, in Kamppi and at the new metro stations in Finnoo, Kaitaa, Soukka, Espoonlahti and Kivenlahti. The second phase of the survey will be carried out in March and the third phase in September 2023.
More than half of metro and bus passengers were of the opinion that the changes will make travelling easier. 80 per cent of metro passengers and 55 per cent of bus passengers thought that the new section of metro line will make journeys to Helsinki easier. Similarly, 77 per cent of metro passengers and 56 per cent of bus passengers stated that journeys within Espoo will become smoother in the future.
77 per cent of metro passengers and 40 per cent of bus passengers thought that extending the Metro to Kivenlahti will make travelling faster.
In addition, 61 per cent of metro passengers and 31 per cent of bus passengers estimated that they will use public transport services more often as new public transport connections become available. Conversely, 14 per cent of metro passengers and 20 per cent of bus passengers thought that they will use public transport services less often in the future.
Finally, 38 per cent of metro passengers and 54 per cent of bus passengers were of the opinion that the changes in the bus route network will result in an increased number of transfers.