HSL, the Helsinki Region Transport authority, will raise public transport ticket prices by an average of 1.8 percent from the start of next year. The board decided on the increase at its meeting on Tuesday, according to Yle.
The rise is smaller than planned. Early in the autumn, a 3.1 percent average increase was on the table, and increases of more than three percent had been floated. HSL's financial situation turned out better than expected.
Prices vary by ticket type and zone. In the most popular AB zone, an adult single ticket bought in the app or with an HSL card rises from 3.30 euros to 3.35 euros. The adult 30-day season ticket for the same zone goes from 73.90 euros to 75.30 euros.
The largest increases, around three percent, apply to adults' and children's day tickets and their additional days. Children's single tickets and single tickets for the 50 percent discount group stay unchanged in all zones. The discount group covers children, people receiving a pension paid by Kela, and people with mobility limitations.
"We do everything we can to be able to offer top-quality public transport service in the future as well. It also requires revenue, but we aim to keep ticket prices at a reasonable level," acting CEO Vesa Silfver said in a statement. He told Helsingin Sanomat on Friday that ticket revenue in the Helsinki and Espoo areas has grown six percent this year, with record numbers of passengers.
HSL forecasts growth of more than five percent in journeys and ticket revenue next year, clearly faster than population growth. The inspection fee stays at 100 euros after a proposal to raise it to 130 euros was rejected in the autumn. "We have received a clear signal from the municipalities that the inspection fee is not to be raised," board chair Mirita Saxberg of the National Coalition Party said.
She said the deficit is now around six million euros, against more than 14 million budgeted. "It is still a deficit economy, and pressure remains."