Supplementary budget allocates additional EUR 111 million in COVID-19 support to public transport services
The Government has agreed on the seventh supplementary budget for 2020. The Government proposes additional funding for the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in particular to support public passenger transport and passenger train transport services.
An appropriation of additional EUR 100 million is proposed to be allocated for purchasing and developing public transport services, especially for stimulating the operations and promoting sustainable development. The appropriation ensures the smooth functioning of the public transport services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The development measures and ensuring the service level of public transport support the carbon neutrality target and the emissions reductions in transport.
Due to the COVID-19 situation, an additional appropriation of EUR 11 million is proposed for purchasing passenger train services. The additional funding will maintain the level of the publicly procured passenger train transport services.
Minister Harakka: Public transport services ensured across Finland
"The COVID-19 epidemic has hit the public transport services hard. That is why the Government will allocate EUR 100 million to public transport and EUR 11 million to purchasing train transport services. In early summer, we decided on public transport support of EUR 100 million, which has been distributed to cities," says Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka.
"Public transport in cities, bus transport services in sparsely populated areas paid by the centres for economic development, transport and the environment, and purchased train transport services provided in small towns by VR are important for the social equality among citizens. They must be ensured. People must be able to get to work and their freetime activities and to meet friends and relatives even during exceptional times," says Minister Harakka.
"Additional support to public transport services strengthens the climate recovery, sustainable economy and employment. We are doing our best to ensure that sufficiently comprehensive and affordable public transport services are a good option for as many people as possible," says Minister Harakka.
New transport infrastructure projects
The planning of the Parikkala international border crossing point will be launched. It is proposed that an appropriation of EUR 700,000 be allocated to the project, of which EUR 150,000 will be allocated for 2020.
The Government proposes a budget authority of EUR 7 million and an appropriation of EUR 0.4 million for 2020 for the development of highway 5 between Hurus and Hietanen. The aim of the project is to improve road safety and promote the smooth flow of traffic. A system of continuous bypass lanes will be implemented for the road section.
The Turku ring road E18 will be improved between Naantali and Raisio. A new budget authority of EUR 4.2 million is proposed for the project as well as an appropriation of EUR 0.2 million for 2020. The project promotes the smooth functioning, safety and sustainability of transport.
What are the next steps?
The government proposal on the seventh supplementary budget for 2020 will be submitted to Parliament on 29 October 2020.
Inquiries:
llkka Hamunen, Special Adviser to the Minister, tel. +358 50 478 1027
Sanna Ruuskanen, Director of Finance and Development Unit, tel. +358 50 344 3400
public transport purchases and development:
Elina Thorström, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 507 4502
transport infrastructure projects:
Timo Kievari, Director of Development Unit, tel. +358 40 059 3706
