HSL Operational and Financial Plan 2017-2019: More digital services and new trunk routes

In the years to come, an increasing number of journeys in the HSL area will be made on frequently running trunk routes. In addition to the West Metro, new trunk bus routes will be introduced towards the end of the decade and Jokeri light rail link will be opened in 2021. In the future, all information needed along the way as well as tickets will be increasingly made available in digital form.

"HSL’s goal is for there to be more up-to-date information available to customers prior to and during their journeys as well as tickets in line with customer wishes at the end of the 2010s. New services can be introduced in cooperation with other mobility service suppliers, enabling customers to buy service packages including door-to-door journeys regardless of travel zones and organizational boundaries. The development of mobile services plays a key role,” says HSL’s Executive Director Suvi Rihtniemi.

The Ring Rail Line and West Metro to be opened next year will increase public transport passenger numbers towards the end of the decade. According to impact assessments, the West Metro and its feeder services will increase the modal share of public transport and attract some 11,000 new customers to public transport. The trunk bus route network will be complemented by a new route operating between Herttoniemi and Munkkivuori in 2018.

The public transport infrastructure under construction will make travel in the region significantly easier but also increase costs and pressure to increase ticket prices. Some of the costs of new investments are covered by ticket revenue and the rest is paid for by the municipalities where the investments are made.  

HSL’s budget 2017

In 2017, HSL's operating income will total 674.2 million euros, an increase of 5.7 per cent compared to the 2015 forecast. Ticket revenue is estimated to increase by 4.4 per cent to 343.6 million euros. Ticket prices will go up on average by 4.1 per cent in 2017. Ticket revenue accounts for 51 per cent of HSL’s operating income.

The expenses that cannot be covered by ticket revenue or other income are covered by municipal contributions paid by the member municipalities. In the 2017 budget, municipal contributions total 313.3 million euros accounting for 46.5 per cent of HSL’s operating income.

The State subsidies for public transport in large cities is estimated to amount to 4.7 million in 2017-2019, accounting for 0.7 per cent of HSL's operating income. Other subsidies are estimated to amount to about 1.5 million euros. Income from penalty fares is estimated to total 6.4 million euros, with a 2.8 million credit loss and credit loss reserve. HSL proposes an increase from 80 euros to 100 euros for the penalty fare.

In 2017, HSL's operating expenses will total 677.9 million euros, an increase of 8.6 per cent compared to the 2016 forecast. Public transport operating costs are the largest item of expenditure at 502.8 million euros (74.2%). HSL uses 315.1 million euros for bus services, 91.2 million euros for train services, 53.6 million euros for tram services, 39.6 million euros for Metro services and 4.0 million euros for ferry services.

HSL pays compensation for its member municipalities for the use of public transport infrastructure owned by the municipalities. In 2017, the compensations amount to 109.8 million euros.

In 2017, HSL’s investment costs are 32.8 million euros. The ticketing and information system reform is the biggest investment.