Transportation costs rise sharply in West Uusimaa as experts point to inflation and demand in Finland

Liisa Rautanen, a resident of rural Lohja and a long-time advocate for disability organizations, relies on a ventilator and benefits from transportation services covered under Finland’s disability services law. According to Rautanen, navigating daily life can be challenging without personal vehicles or taxi services, especially for individuals with mobility restrictions.

Transportation costs within the West Uusimaa welfare area will increase by €4 million this year alone, as revealed by a recent study. This trend of rising costs is evident across all welfare districts, where total transport expenses related to social and disability services, as well as healthcare, are notably on the rise.

An analysis indicates that only two of Finland’s 21 welfare areas managed to reduce transportation costs from the previous year. Total transportation expenses are projected to rise by around €40 million, reaching approximately half a billion euros this year, with about €23 million directly affecting the finances of the welfare districts. A considerable portion of this increase is linked to ambulance and taxi services.

Experts attribute these rising expenses to broader inflation, with usage rates for social and disability service transportation climbing by roughly 1% while costs have surged by about 4%. The welfare area plans to centralize its transportation services in the coming year, aiming to streamline operations.

Moreover, changes in compensation rates from Kela, the Finnish social insurance institution, have also affected overall costs. Despite reductions in healthcare stations, the demand for transportation remains steady, especially considering the aging population. The Ministry of Finance is closely monitoring these developments, indicating that a thorough analysis of the costs and service structures is still needed to address the underlying issues.