Pohjanmaa awards transportation contract to Keski-Suomen Matkojen Yhdistelykeskus in Jyväskylä

The Pohjanmaa Welfare Area has completed a tendering process for transportation services under the laws governing disability, social care, and special care. Cost was the deciding factor. The contract was awarded to Keski-Suomen Matkojen Yhdistelykeskus based in Jyväskylä, which previously has secured transport contracts in North Savonia and North Karelia. The former operator was Taksi Vaasa, which has provided approximately 116,000 rides across Pohjanmaa in the past year. Niklas Teir, the procurement director, expressed confidence that the new service provider will effectively allocate resources to meet the welfare area’s needs. He noted that local taxi operators can join the agreement as subcontractors.

However, some taxi operators are questioning the fairness of the tendering process. Jarno Koivuniemi, CEO of Vaasan Palveluliikenne Oy, highlighted concerns regarding a Jyväskylä-based operator offering discounts on their behalf. He criticized the process for prioritizing the lowest bid, which could undermine drivers’ earnings. Ville Jaakola from the Taxi Association echoes this sentiment, arguing that the current model deprives drivers of influence over pricing since the brokerage firm dictates it.

For many rural taxi operators, the welfare area’s transportation contracts constitute a significant portion of their income, leading to a take-it-or-leave-it situation. On the other hand, Petri Palviainen, the CEO of the winning company, mentioned that compensation for subcontractors will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Concerns also arose regarding the tight timeline for implementation, with Koivuniemi skeptical that everything could be completed within three months. Similarly, Kenth Sjöman, CEO of Taxi Sjöman, emphasized the extensive preparation required for the new system. Meanwhile, Raimo Roine, CEO of Taksi Vaasa, expressed a lack of worry about his company’s future, accepting that the lowest bid typically prevails in competitions.