Helsinki has Finland’s priciest public transport tickets, Yle finds

Public transport ticket prices vary widely across Finland, with an adult monthly pass costing 42 euros in Seinäjoki and 73.90 euros in the Helsinki region, according to a comparison by Yle.

The difference amounts to about 380 euros a year. Yle collected ticket prices, departure figures and route information from 18 major urban areas. Its comparison uses the cheapest app or travel-card fare for the smallest fare zone in each area, and defines a monthly pass as a 30-day ticket.

Seinäjoki residents welcomed the low monthly fare but said bus services were limited and irregular. In winter, buses make 175 departures on a weekday there, while no buses run on Sundays. Residents said they would be willing to pay somewhat more for more frequent and longer-running services.

Vaasa has the cheapest adult single ticket in the comparison, at 2.10 euros. The lowest fares in Hämeenlinna and Tampere are 2.40 and 2.50 euros, respectively. The most expensive single ticket is in the Helsinki region, at 3.30 euros, followed by Kotka at 3.25 euros and Turku at 3.15 euros.

The Helsinki region also has the highest monthly fare. Mari Flink, who leads customer services at Helsinki Region Transport (HSL), said the result was not surprising. HSL offers more transport services, and runs them more frequently, than other operators in Finland, she said. Flink also pointed to service expansions, including the West Metro, Ring Rail Line, light rail and Crown Bridges tramway.

Ticket prices are also affected by public funding and political decisions, Yle reported. Cities and municipalities often provide some or all of the service, and local politicians can influence fares. Seinäjoki’s bus operator, Härmän Liikenne, says the city deliberately aims to keep its monthly pass as cheap as possible.