Public transport fares in the Helsinki region will rise by 3.1 percent starting 1 January 2026. Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) announced the adjustment to address increasing infrastructure and operational costs, as well as limited capacity of member municipalities to cover funding gaps.
The decision followed negotiations within the HSL Executive Board and was approved by a vote of 10 to 4. Representatives from the National Coalition Party, the Swedish People’s Party, and the Finns Party supported the increase. The Green League and Left Alliance opposed it and had requested a freeze on fares.
The approved 3.1 percent hike is lower than the initial 6.4 percent increase proposed by HSL officials. It will affect all ticket types and travel zones. Updated prices will be published in the coming weeks.
HSL Single Ticket Price Changes 2026
The new fares for single tickets will be as follows:
- Adult ticket purchased with HSL app or travel card: €3.20 to €3.30
- Contactless card payment ticket: €3.40 to €3.50
Season ticket prices will also rise:
- Two-zone season tickets: €72.10 to around €75
- Continuous saver plan: €60.10 to about €62
The increases aim to cover general cost growth but will not fully offset earlier government tax policy changes. Member municipalities will need to cover the remaining shortfall.
Smaller municipalities in the HSL region raised concerns that the increase alone would not be enough to cover rising expenses. HSL receives roughly 57 percent of funding from municipal contributions, with the remaining 43 percent coming from fare revenue. In 2026, the agency is targeting about €400 million in fare income.
Infrastructure and service disruptions are expected to further reduce income. Scheduled closures on rail and tram lines in 2026 are projected to cut ticket revenue by around €2 million. This includes a summer shutdown of three stations along Helsinki’s western Ring Rail Line and a separate three-month tram disruption on Mäkelänkatu.
Mari Flink, Market Division Director at HSL, emphasized the challenge of balancing affordability and sustainability. “Setting fares is always a balancing act. We want to keep increases moderate to protect access to public transport while covering rising costs,” she said.
To ease the impact on passengers, HSL will introduce a daily fare cap for single ticket users. The cap ensures that users will never pay more in a single day than the cost of a day ticket, regardless of how many trips they take. Implementation will begin with contactless payment users, though the full timeline is not yet confirmed.
HSL is also planning structural changes to simplify the fare system. The multi-zone model will be modified, add-on zone tickets removed, and a new outer E-zone introduced for extended travel areas. These changes aim to make fares simpler and reflect the region’s expansion.
Looking ahead, HSL anticipates continued pressure from rising infrastructure costs, expected to increase by €10 million in 2026, and operational costs, projected to rise by €12 million. The agency aims to keep municipal subsidies under 55 percent of funding by 2029.
