Helsinki’s public transport was ranked second best in Europe in the 2008 BEST (Benchmarking in European Service of Transport) study.
Most valued aspects of public transportation to citizens were its environmentally friendly values and its social significance. The number of bus and train stops in the transportation network in the city centre was considered important. Travellers thought that the Helsinki City Transport provides a safe way to travel.
Helsinki City Transport participates in many research and development projects which aim at finding more environmentally friendly public transportation. The bio-diesel project has an objective to reduce emissions and greenhouse gases. Another project aims at minimizing the use of energy by taking buses using hybrid energy into use. Helsinki City Transport will be testing hybrid buses in the near future together with traffic operators.
The metro and local trains form the base of the public transport in the metropolitan area, and in the future they will be further developed. There are numerous extension plans for the rail traffic, for both the tram lines and the metro, which will be extended to Espoo, while different rail options are planned for quick access to the Helsinki Airport.
Source: www.hsl.fi
