2025 is the final year of our current strategy period (2022–2025). We revised our passenger number target for next year to 384 million boardings. In 2024, we estimate the number of boardings to be 362 million. Our goal is to increase passenger numbers by implementing targeted growth measures based on customer understanding. These include adjustments to pricing, marketing, personalized services, and improvements to the level of service and customer experience. We are also developing our digital services and seeking growth, for example, by introducing contactless payment and other ticket products.
Despite significant pressure to increase ticket prices more, we will raise them by about eight percent at the beginning of 2025. We estimate that even with this increase, public transport will remain competitive.
We will assess the level of public transport service in different areas and aim to improve service where there is potential for increased use of public transport. We are also preparing to increase the frequency of tram services once construction activities subside and to implement targeted improvements to Metro services. However, during the planning period, construction work around the HSL area will cause significant disruptions to transport services and therefore, we will also be providing replacement services.
We are on track to achieve zero-emission public transport next year, and our emissions will be 90 percent lower than they were in 2010. Currently, half of our bus services run on electricity.
Operating expenses on the rise
HSL's expenses are estimated to be EUR 964.5 million in 2025. This is EUR 67.5 million (7.5 percent) more than the forecast for 2024. In 2026, operational expenses are projected at EUR 972.2 million.
Our expenses are increasing due to higher operating costs and increased compensation for the use of public transport infrastructure paid to municipalities. Operating costs are increasing in particular due to the expenses related to tram depots, tram route 13, and light rail 15. In 2025, infrastructure compensations are estimated to account for an unprecedented EUR 236.2 million of our operating costs, with further increases anticipated for the subsequent years. In comparison, in 2010, infrastructure compensations amounted to EUR 59.1 million.
Operating income is estimated at EUR 941.1 million in 2025, which is EUR 73.5 million (8.5 percent) more than the forecast for 2024. Fare revenue accounts for 43.3 percent and municipal contributions for 53.8 percent of the operating income.
The Operational and Financial Plan is based on the target of 384 million passenger boardings in 2025, which is approximately 13 million less than the number of boardings in 2019 (397 million). Our fare revenue goal is EUR 408 million. This is EUR 38 million (10.3 percent) higher than the forecast for 2024.