HSL slashes longest-trip fares from 2020

The fares for the longest trips in Helsinki by public transport, i.e. the prices of ABC, BCD, CD, and ABCD tickets, will be reduced from the beginning of 2020, said the City of Helsinki in an official bulletin.

The reduction was decided by the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) Executive Board at the end of October.

The price cuts will apply to both single and season tickets. The prices of AB, BC, and D tickets will not change.

“This is for the first time in our 10-year history that we make such significant fare cuts. We will lower the fares for the longest journeys, as switching from driving to public transport for the longest journeys is most beneficial in terms of reducing emissions from traffic,” said HSL Executive Director Suvi Rihtniemi.

The biggest benefit will be to those living in zones C and D, but also people living in zones A and B will benefit from the lower prices. For example, residents of Helsinki buy 27 per cent of ABC tickets and they are the third largest group of people buying ABCD tickets.

The level of public transport service is poorer in zones C and D than closer to the centre of Helsinki. In zones A and B, the level of public transport service is excellent. Moreover, the validity area of AB and BC tickets is very large and thanks to the 80-minute transfer time, passengers are often able to make both the outward and return journeys with the same ticket.