In Espoo’s transport system, strong investments have been made in public transport in recent years, especially in the West Metro and its extensions. The metro is a good solution for travel between the city’s major centres, but at the same time a significant mistake has been made: public transport has been concentrated too much around metro stations. In practice, this solution has left many Espoo residents completely without a realistic public transport option when commutes and errands are headed somewhere other than along the metro line.
Espoo’s urban structure is fragmented, and public transport connections in the outer areas are currently insufficient. The situation has worsened further as bus connections have been cut heavily with the arrival of the metro. Evening, night and weekend services are almost non-existent, which forces residents to use their own car – not because of ideology, but due to everyday necessity.
In addition, the special audit concerning the operations of Länsimetro Oy has still not been carried out, even though it has been demanded repeatedly. Residents deserve to know how tax money has been used and how decisions regarding the construction of the metro and its extensions have been made. Transparency is important in public projects so that residents can trust that their money is being used responsibly.
Driving should not be made artificially difficult
Although promoting public transport is important, private car use should not be seen as the enemy. In Espoo, the constant raising of parking fees, the expansion of paid areas and traffic restrictions do not serve the big picture. The city is continuously growing, which also increases the need for private car use – this fact cannot be ignored.
People should not be punished because public transport does not meet their needs. On the contrary, Espoo must find a sensible balance between different modes of travel and ensure that driving is also a reasonable and smooth option.
We need solutions that actually work
More resources must be allocated to Espoo’s public transport so that it serves all Espoo residents also in the evenings, at night and on weekends. Public transport must be a genuinely competitive option, not merely a political value choice. This means better connections and shorter travel times for all areas – also outside the city centres.
In decision-making, residents and entrepreneurs must finally be listened to, not only civil servants and those drafting political guidelines. Espoo residents need practical, efficient and genuinely working solutions, not ideological dictates. It is time for Espoo’s transport to return to using common sense and to listen to residents.
Sustainable transport is built on smoothness and freedom of choice, not coercion.
Source: Uusi Suomi
Markku Arvekari
Digital Transformation Expert
