HSL to raise season ticket prices from 2021

The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL) has decided to increase the prices of season tickets for public transport from the beginning of next year, said HSL in a press release on Tuesday.

The average price increase will be 3.8 per cent.

The coronavirus hit HSL’s finances hard and fare increases will be necessary to offset the loss of revenue, said HSL, adding that ticket revenue is still about 40 per cent lower than that at this time of last year.

Difficulties are expected to continue next year as ticket revenue is estimated to be at about 65 per cent of the 2019 figures.

At the beginning of 2021, the prices of adult 30-day season tickets will increase by three euros. There will be no increases in the prices of single and day tickets. The prices of annual tickets and saver tickets will decrease.

The new price will be the price of a 30-day ticket multiplied by 10 instead of by 11 as at present.

People aged 70 and above will get a discount on season tickets instead of the current discount on daytime single tickets. The price of an over 70 season ticket will decrease by more than 40 per cent; for example, the price of an AB ticket will decrease from 59.70 euros to 34.50 euros.

The price increases are moderate, because the share of public transport subsidy from HSL member municipalities will increase to an average of 64 per cent compared to the normal about 50 per cent of HSL’s operating costs. However, the revenue gap of 130 million euros will require state and EU support in addition to the additional subsidies from municipalities.

From the start of 2021, people aged 70 and over will be able to buy season tickets at a 45 per cent discount. At the same time, the time-based discount on single tickets will be withdrawn.

At the beginning of the year, the range of day tickets will expand to include eight- to 13-day tickets.

Bus drivers will no longer sell tickets. Ticket sales by drivers were suspended in spring 2020 due to the coronavirus epidemic and now it is decided that ticket sales by drivers will not be reinstated.