JHL (24.06.2013- Heikki Jokinen) Three out of four Finns (76 per cent) say that public transport belongs to the public services. Only one out of ten think the opposite. This is one of the findings of a public transport barometer commissioned by the JHL.
The political opinion of those interviewed did not influence the result. A great majority among all party supporters saw public transport as an essential part of the public service system. In a previous similar barometer conducted in 2010 those who supported this idea was 79 per cent.
The survey covered 1,048 people from all around Finland. Special focus was placed on the Helsinki metropolitan region with 695 extra interviews. TNS Gallup carried out the survey.
When asked what forms of public transport works best international flight travel got the best marks, 55 per cent said it is very good or quite good. That was followed by long distance trains (52 per cent), local buses (45 per cent) and long distance buses (45 per cent). The lowest percentage was given to domestic flights and local trains, both at 32 per cent. However, a majority of those asked had not used these services.
One third of respondents believe that public transport services have deteriorated in the last couple of years. This applies especially to local bus transportation. Those who do not use public transport tend to believe in particular that public service is worse now than before.
"This is a clear message that the condition of public transport must be improved, finance guaranteed and staff taken care of", says JHL president Jarkko Eloranta.
A total of 84 per cent saw rail traffic as environment friendly. In general rail traffic got very positive marks. It was seen as suitable for domestic holiday travelling (78 per cent), safe (79 per cent) and suitable for work trips (64 per cent). Also 69 per cent said it is easy to find information about rail traffic.
"This endorses the need for more maintenance and investment in rail transport", says Vesa Mauriala, chairperson of the joint organisation of rail professionals in the JHL.
Opinion was divided on the outsourcing of public transport. It was supported by 34 per cent and opposed by 37 per cent. The remaining 29 per cent had no opinion. The highest percentage of those in favour of privatisation was among traditional right-wing party supporters and greens, lowest among those supporting left-wing parties and the populist right-wing party, The Finns.
Some 12,000 of JHL’s 240,000 members are working in the transport sector. The main groups are railway workers, local transport staff in Helsinki, bus drivers and those working with air traffic and cable ferries.