Request for comments: Amendments to Act on Transport Services data provisions

The Ministry of Transport and Communications requests comments on a draft government proposal for amending certain provisions on data in the Act on Transport Services. The proposal concerns individual amendments that are needed, for example, due to EU regulation. The deadline for submitting comments is 19 May 2024.

Ensuring the availability and interoperability of transport and logistics data, which would accelerate the development of data space in the transport sector, is one of the digital infrastructure objectives set out in Finland's digital compass.

The proposal concerning data regulation was put forward to achieve the objectives of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's Government to enhance the functioning of the transport services market and to promote the digitalisation and automation of transport and logistics.

Furthermore, the proposal introduces national regulation specifying EU regulations. Other updates for transport data provisions are proposed at the same time.

With regard to the EU Regulation on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (AFIR), it is proposed that the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom be designated as the identification registration organisation referred to in the Regulation. The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency would be responsible for the national access point that makes available data on publicly accessible recharging and refuelling infrastructure. Provisions on the responsibility of businesses to provide the data are laid down in AFIR.

With regard to the Regulation on electronic freight transport information (eFTI), it is proposed that Traficom act as the national access point for the exchange of electronic transport information.

Traffic Management Company Fintraffic Ltd could provide the above-mentioned information services. It currently coordinates a wider national transport information ecosystem aimed at promoting innovative data use solutions and a fair digital environment.

With regard to travel information, the Act would refer to the EU Regulation on the provision of EU-wide multimodal travel information services, whereas before the key requirements have been laid down by government decree.

The amendments would also include new regulation to improve the accessibility of passenger transport stops and related accessibility data. In future, the competent authorities would need to ensure the availability of information in situations where no information is available through the national access point.

The proposal also includes technical amendments to the provisions on the interoperability of ticket and payment systems, on disclosure of information from the transport register and on Traficom's option to publish information on persons exercising public authority on its website.

Next steps

Comments on the draft government proposal can be submitted until 19 May 2024. All organisations and private individuals may submit comments online at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi. 

Public officials will continue the law drafting after the consultation round.

Inquiries

Laura Lassila, Senior Specialist, laura.lassila(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 016

Maria Rautavirta, Director, maria.rautavita(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 564