Public transport capacity halves from Saturday

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency - Traficom has issued an order limiting the maximum permitted number of passengers to 50 per cent of the normal maximum capacity in the region of the Helsinki and Uusimaa Hospital District (HUS).

The restriction has been imposed against the backdrop of the worsening coronavirus situation and it will take effect on Saturday, 27 March and remain in force until 25 April, said an official press release on Friday.

The restriction will apply to all the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsinginseudunliikenne – HSL) services and the national railway operator VR.

The restriction, however, excludes passengers born in or after 2008 on weekday services in Helsinki. If students of grades 7-9 return to in-person learning, this exception is extended to passengers born in or after 2005 on weekday services.

HSL does not guarantee that there will be sufficient capacity on all individual services. In these situations, HSL advises passengers to wait for the next service or to use an alternative route or mode of transport where possible.

The maximum capacity of vehicles consists of seating and standing capacities. Consequently, for example, a bus is 50 per cent full when the number of passengers equals the number of seats.

According to the order, Metro train will able to accommodate about 350 passengers, one commuter train about 300 passengers, Arctic tram about 100 passengers, Articulated tram about 80 passengers, 3-axle buss about 60 passengers, a larger 2-axle bus about 45 passengers, a smaller 2-axle bus about 40 passengers, and minibus about 10 passengers.

Meanwhile, VR also decided to halve the passengers of its capacity during the stipulated period, said VR in a press release.