Targets set for the National Transport System Plan

The preparation for Finland's first National Transport System Plan continues. A parliamentary steering group has outlined three targets for the Plan. An action programme for the Plan will be drawn up on the basis of the targets:

- Opportunities to choose more sustainable modes of mobility will improve, particularly in urban areas.

- The transport system will ensure accessibility of the whole of Finland and responds to the needs of businesses, working life and housing.

- The socioeconomic efficiency of the transport system will improve.

Finland is committed to reducing transport emissions by 50 per cent by 2030. The National Transport System Plan is used for reducing emissions particularly in urban areas that have the greatest potential for promoting sustainable modes of mobility.

Emission reduction measures in transport will also be reviewed in other ongoing projects. A road map for fossil-free transport is being prepared under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. A working group of the Ministry of Finance will examine the need to reform transport taxation, taking into account the perspective of the climate targets, for example.

The transport system is developed on the basis of the needs of people and businesses. The aim of the National Transport System Plan is to ensure accessibility of the whole of Finland and respond to the needs of businesses, working life and housing.

The pursuit of socio-economic efficiency in the transport system means that the aim is to allocate the limited resources in such a way that they yield the best possible results.

The parliamentary group steering the preparation of the National Transport System Plan is led by Minister of Transport and Communications Timo Harakka. The targets serve as the backbone for any further preparation of the Plan.

"With the National Plan, a long-term perspective can be adopted to transport policy. These targets have been prepared in good cooperation with various actors, and the work continues. The parliamentary steering group emphasises three parallel targets that all aim to mitigate climate change," says Minister Harakka.

Financial limits guide the preparation of the Plan

The parliamentary steering group has also outlined the financial limits that guide the drafting of the Plan at the outset.

According to the policy adopted, the preparation of the Plan is based, in the initial phase, on central government budgetary funding in accordance with the General Government Fiscal Plan. For the first years of the Plan, the current General Government Fiscal Plan will be used. The Parliamentary Steering Group has also outlined that the increase in the appropriations for the basic transport infrastructure management made for the current government term will continue in the coming years.

As planning progresses, the amount of budget funding will be assessed in relation to the achievement of the objectives of the Plan. The extension of the financing base to non-budgetary funding will also be examined.

What next?

- The preparation of the action programme will now begin on the basis of the objectives and financial limits outlined. In these preparations, use will be made of the received feedback. Impact assessments are a fundamental part of planning.

- As the next step, regional events will be organised in Helsinki, Lappeenranta, Rovaniemi and Vaasa on 10 March 2020.

- The draft Plan will be completed in autumn 2020.

- The aim is to complete the Transport System Plan in spring 2021. It will be approved by the Government.

What is it all about?

The transport system comprises the transport network and services; support functions for the transport system, such as data and traffic control; and all transport modes: road, railway, water and air transport.

The National Transport System Plan, on the other hand, includes an action plan on how the transport network will be planned, constructed and maintained, and what kind of transport and mobility services will be purchased. The Plan will include a twelve-year government funding programme. At the beginning of each government term, the Transport System Plan will be reviewed and brought in line with the General Government Fiscal Plan. If necessary, it will be reassessed, when the General Government Fiscal Plan changes.

The first National Transport System Plan will be drawn up for 2021-2032.

Inquiries:

Sabina Lindström, Director General, tel. +358 40 527 6103, [email protected], Twitter @LindstromSabina

Timo Kievari, Director of Unit, tel. +358 40 059 3706, timo.kievari(at)lvm.fi, Twitter @TimoKievari