The HSL Operational and Financial Plan 2019–2021: new zone system, new trunk routes and development of digital services

HSL’s most important project in 2019 will be the successful implementation of the zone reform. The trunk bus route network will be expanded, and the development of digital services to support the use of public transport will continue.

In 2019, HSL will introduce a new zone model for ticket pricing, which is independent of municipal boundaries. The new zone system also means major changes to the stop infrastructure and passenger information.

The trunk route network will expand as the new trunk routes 500, Itäkeskus–Munkkivuori, and 510, Herttoniemi–Westendinasema, start operating in the autumn of 2019. The route networks of Tuusula, Kerava and North Espoo will also be renewed in the autumn. 

Throughout the validity period of the new operational and financial plan, HSL will emphasize the development of its digital services that support the use of public transport. The redesigned HSL.fi online service will be introduced in the autumn of 2019, and it will combine HSL.fi with the Journey Planner. Ticket sales will move increasingly to mobile platforms and online. The aim is to extend contactless payment to all modes of transport and all adult single tickets in 2019–2020.

The winner of the competitive tendering process for HSL commuter train services will be announced in April 2020. At the moment, the goal is for the tendered services to begin in June 2021.

The joint MAL plan, or the regional land use, housing and transport plan of HSL, municipalities and the state for the years 2019–2050, will be completed for approval in early 2019. After that, the preparation of MAL 2020–2023 will continue so that the plan can be approved in 2019.

HSL budget for 2019

HSL’s estimates place the 2019 operating income at 737.6 million euros, which indicates an increase of just under one per cent in comparison to the previous year. Next year, HSL predicts a total of 372.8 million euros in ticket revenue. The ticket revenue will account for 51 per cent of HSL’s operating income next year.

The expenses that cannot be covered by ticket revenue or other income are covered by municipal contributions paid by the member municipalities. In the 2019 budget, the municipal contributions total 348.1 million euros, which accounts for approximately 47 per cent of HSL’s operating income.

According to HSL’s estimates, the amount of state subsidies to public transport in large cities will total 4.8 million euros in 2019–2021, which accounts for slightly less than one per cent of HSL’s operating income.

HSL’s operating expenses will total 754.5 million euros in 2019. The expenses will increase seven per cent in comparison to the 2018 economic forecast. The largest item of expense, 535.1 million euros, consists of the public transport operating costs. HSL predicts that the public transport cost level will increase approximately three per cent from the previous year due to, among others, the rising fuel prices.

HSL pays its member municipalities a compensation for the use of public transport infrastructure owned by the municipalities. This infrastructure compensation will amount to 150.7 million euros in 2019.

Next year, HSL will use a total of 35.2 million euros on purchases not related to operating and infrastructure services.  The ICT costs will increase especially as a result of the new services brought about by the ticketing and information system.