Public transport fines drive hundreds of minors into debt enforcement

Hundreds of 15 to 17 year olds have had public transport inspection fine debts pursued through debt enforcement, according to statistics provided to Yle by the National Enforcement Authority.

Public transport inspection fines are the largest single cause of debt enforcement cases and payment default records among people aged 15 to 17. Nearly 6,000 young people in this age group received an inspection fine last year.

About 400 unpaid inspection fine debts were under enforcement at the end of last year. At the beginning of August, around 650 young people had a payment default record linked to an unpaid public transport fine.

The inspection fine is 100 euros and can be enforced directly, without a payment reminder. It is issued personally, and guardians are not notified separately when the recipient is under 18.

Enforcement letters are sent through the Suomi.fi online service if the service has been activated, or by post. The National Enforcement Authority cannot estimate how many fines remain unpaid because the collection notice was overlooked, for example in the electronic service.

If the fine remains unpaid despite an enforcement request, the authority can collect the debt from the young person’s bank account or wages. Income must exceed the protected portion, meaning the account must contain approximately 1,500 euros. Inspection fines cannot be collected from benefits such as student or housing support, but they may be collected from money received as gifts or from flea market sales.

If the debt cannot be collected, a minor can also receive a payment default record. This can make it difficult to obtain housing, a credit card or an instalment purchase.

Credit records are restored 30 days after the creditor reports that the debt has been paid. Payment default and enforcement records are removed no later than three years after being entered in the register. If a young person’s income is insufficient to pay the enforcement debt for five years, the debt expires.

Nearly half of the inspection fines issued by Helsinki Regional Transport, known as HSL, are left completely unpaid.

HSL is considering raising the inspection fine from 100 euros to 130 euros. The Helsinki Urban Environment Committee is due to decide the city’s position on Tuesday. Ticket inspectors may issue an inspection fine to anyone aged 15 or over.

People can request a review of an inspection fine, but HSL is accepting such requests less often. Yle readers have criticised the transport authority’s stricter approach and considered the fine excessive for minors who may receive it because of carelessness or forgetfulness.