New, high-quality transport services through Transport Code
Regulation on transport markets will be brought together under one act, Transport Code. The aim of the project is to promote new service models and thus better meet the users' needs. Further aims are to review the transport system as a whole, make market access easier and promote interoperability of different parts of the transport system. The Transport Code will help introduce new technologies, digitalisation and new business concepts. With the help of open data and the better use of data resources, favourable conditions will be provided for new business ideas. The project also aims to lighten regulation.
"Mobility has to be a genuine service. Our goal is a better service selection for users. There is plenty of scope for improvement in user-orientation and in interoperability of transport modes, and the Transport Code is the means to improving the situation. We are shifting from market regulation towards ensuring the quality of services", says Ms Anne Berner, Minister of Transport and Communications.
"Our aim is to turn Finland into a forerunner in the transport sector. A leap in productivity is possible in transport, which can be turned into a true growth sector. Digitalisation is a huge opportunity that we must seize", she says.
As part of a Government key project, the Transport Code will build a growth environment for digital business. The Code is also part of another Government key project: deregulation. According to the Government Programme innovation and service platforms will be promoted in sectors where the public administration plays a role in terms of the functioning of the markets. One of such sectors mentioned in the Government Programme is mobility as a service.
Transport Code in three stages
Due to its wide-ranging contents, the Transport Code project will be carried out in three stages.
Where possible, provisions on transport markets and services that are currently in separate acts will be gathered under the Transport Code. Such acts include those on public transport, taxi transport, commercial freight transport, and, if implementation in a short time frame is possible, parts of the vehicle act as well as certain provisions on the professional qualification of drivers.
One aim is also to better enable combined passenger and goods transport. One objective of the legislative work is to ensure public governance in situations where market-oriented transport services cannot be considered sufficient.
In the second stage of the Transport Code preparations, regulation on professional qualifications and driver training will be renewed. A suitable environment for new teaching methods will be provided. In connection with implementation of international regulations, additional national regulation will be subjected to a critical analysis.
In the second stage, regulation on use and disclosure of data in transport services and on registers will be standardised and, if necessary, new regulation will be introduced. These issues will in part be dealt with already in the first phase. Provisions on the tasks and mandates of transport authorities and agencies will also be put together, if necessary.
In the third stage of the Transport Code, it will be ensured that due attention has been given to the aims concerning the transport system and the related digital services.
The Transport Code preparation process will be transparent and take place in close interaction with stakeholders. The phasing and schedule of the project will be reviewed, when necessary.
The goal is that the first stage of the project enter into force on 1 January 2017.
Inquiries:
Mr Mikael Nyberg, Director of Transport Services Unit, tel. +358 40 837 8794
