Protesters fill Helsinki Metro demanding affordable and free public transport

On New Year’s Eve, a unique demonstration unfolded in the Helsinki Metro as over 200 protesters gathered to oppose impending public transport fare increases by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). The event, themed as a protest celebration, took place be

By: helsinkitimes.fi

Jan 03 2025
17
0 Views

Protesters fill Helsinki Metro

On New Year’s Eve, a unique demonstration unfolded in the Helsinki Metro as over 200 protesters gathered to oppose impending public transport fare increases by Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). The event, themed as a protest celebration, took place between 7 and 8 p.m., filling three metro cars and calling for fare reductions and a transition toward free public transportation.

The demonstration began at Itäkeskus Metro Station and included participants of all ages. The event featured speeches, music, and artistic performances.

Among the speakers were non-fiction authors Veikka Lahtinen and Pontus Purokuru, as well as Left Alliance city councilors Arvind Ramachandran and Elina Kauppila. Lahtinen advocated for free public transport, describing it as achievable and necessary to end the “criminalization of poverty,” referring to fines issued to individuals unable to afford tickets.

Protesters traveled westward, stopping briefly at Sörnäinen Station when security guards attempted to end the demonstration. Police intervened and allowed it to continue peacefully. At Tapiola Station, some guards allegedly exceeded their authority by detaining a participant and obstructing access to the metro, though the detained individual was later released.

The protest concluded voluntarily after an hour to avoid further disruption to metro operations. Protesters emphasized that the demonstration was intended to highlight social and environmental justice issues rather than disrupt public services.

HSL’s fare increases, set to take effect on 1 January 2025, have drawn significant backlash. Fares will rise by 8%, further burdening residents amid rising living costs, social benefit cuts, and rent increases. Protesters argue that accessible public transport is essential for equitable urban living and reducing emissions.

Noia Kattelus, a participant in the demonstration, criticized the fare hikes as being in conflict with Helsinki’s city strategy, which pledges to promote equality and human rights. Anton Johansson, another organizer, called for immediate fare reductions and long-term plans for free public transport, noting successful examples in cities like Tallinn and Montpellier.

Viktor Beloff, another demonstrator, highlighted the necessity of mobility for urban life, stressing that affordable transport ensures access to work, education, services, and social activities. “Living in Helsinki shouldn’t be a privilege for the wealthy,” Beloff said, advocating for free public transport as a cornerstone of inclusive city planning.

Despite the significant turnout, HSL did not comment on the demonstration on its social media channels. Interestingly, HSL reported a technical issue on the metro at 7:10 p.m., shortly after the protest began. However, there was no mention of the protest in the agency’s communication.

The protest reflects growing dissatisfaction with rising transportation costs in Helsinki and broader calls for policy changes to make urban mobility affordable and accessible for all.