Bus services

Public transport in Helsinki is considered to have begun in 1888 when horse-driven omnibuses  started operating in the city. The first buses began running in 1936.  Some of the bus services were replaced by trolley buses in 1949. In 1985, trolley buses were withdrawn. Today HSL is studying the possibility of introducing modern trolley buses in Helsinki.

 

Competitive tendering of regional  bus services began in the Helsinki metropolitan area in 1994.  In 1998, Helsinki internal bus services were tendered for the first time, while in Espoo and Vantaa competitive tendering began in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Today HSL is responsible for the competitive tendering of bus services in the region.

 

In the HSL area, heavy rail services provide the backbone of the public transport system.  Bus services supplement the rail services.  Bus services include feeder bus routes, service routes (e.g. Jouko neighbourhood routes) and cross-town services. Direct radial bus routes serve areas that are not served by rail.

 

The bulk of the bus fleet runs on diesel.  The tendering principles of HSL favour low-emission vehicles.  HSL is also studying the use of different alternative fuels in Helsinki region transport.

 

HSL is responsible for the planning and procurement of the bus services. The services are operated by several transport operators.