Helsinki and Vantaa face unexpected costs while Espoo receives millions in savings due to HSL billing error

A miscalculation by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) will result in Helsinki and Vantaa paying millions more for rail services, while Espoo and several other municipalities receive significant refunds, reports Yle Uutiset.

The error, discovered in HSL’s cost-sharing model for train operations, means half of the member municipalities will pay more than budgeted this year, while others will pay less. HSL’s administrative director, Jussi Saarinen, confirmed the mistake was made when allocating costs based on service metrics—such as train frequency, route kilometers, and passenger numbers—in last November’s approved budget.

If the proposed correction is approved by the HSL assembly in late May, Helsinki’s share of the €560 million annual budget will rise to nearly 57%, an increase of over €2 million from its original €318 million contribution. Vantaa’s payments will climb by around €2 million to €67 million, representing 12% of HSL’s total costs. Smaller adjustments include Kerava paying an extra €260,000 and Sipoo just €9,000 more.

Meanwhile, Espoo will see its share drop by over €3 million, reducing its total payment to roughly €148 million—about 27% of HSL’s budget. Kirkkonummi, Kauniainen, and Siuntio will also benefit: Kirkkonummi’s costs will decrease by nearly €1 million to €7 million, Kauniainen’s by over €300,000 to under €2 million, and Siuntio’s by €75,000 to around €1.2 million.

Saarinen noted that mid-year adjustments to municipal contributions are rare. The overall HSL budget remains unchanged, with the corrections simply reallocating costs among member municipalities.