A recent study reveals that one in ten bus routes in the Helsinki region is so unprofitable that ticket revenues cover less than ten percent of costs.
A new report from Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) indicates that approximately ten percent of bus routes in the Helsinki region are severely unprofitable, with ticket revenues covering less than ten percent of operational costs. This issue is more prevalent among night routes, local buses, and rural connections, where ticket sales only accounted for about 14% of total costs for night services. Many of these struggling lines average only a few passengers per trip, raising concerns about their sustainability and necessity in public transportation planning.
The profitability of bus lines in the Helsinki area varies significantly, with some routes generating profits while others operate at a significant loss. On average, ticket revenues for all routes cover about half of the total expenses, indicating a disparity in operational efficiency among different lines. Tero Mertanen, a unit head at HSL, cautions that these figures are based on a relatively short assessment period and that drawing definitive conclusions from this data may not be appropriate.
Despite the financial challenges faced by these underperforming routes, they contribute only about two percent to the total cost of the entire bus network. This raises questions about service provision and resource allocation within Helsinki's public transport system, as decision-makers weigh the need for accessibility against the cost-effectiveness of maintaining low-demand routes, particularly in light of ongoing discussions regarding urban transport sustainability and efficiency.
