Joint monitoring reduces public transport disruption in Helsinki

The safety and comfort of public transport is an important part of urban life. Ensuring this requires cooperation between different actors.

The Helsinki Police Department and stakeholders have observed an increase in public transport disruptions and violent behaviour of customers towards officials and security personnel in recent years.

From 7 February to 1 March 2025, the Helsinki Police Department intensified its surveillance of public transport together with HSL ticket inspectors and VR commuter train conductors. The aim of the joint monitoring effort was to improve both the occupational safety of ticket inspectors and conductors and to enhance passengers' sense of security when using public transport.

“Cooperation between ticket inspectors and the police has always gone really well. Ticket checks are smoother when the police are there to calm things down. It also speeds up the identification process, as there is no need to call the police in situations where passengers refuse to present a reliable proof of their identity to the inspector," says Satu Koskinen, Head of HSL's Ticket Inspection Unit.

Joint monitoring has proven to be an effective means of maintaining a safe and peaceful travel environment. Visible surveillance sends a message to passengers that disorderly behaviour and fare evasion are consistently addressed.

“Visible preventive control is always the most desirable form of policing, also in public transport stations and vehicles. From our and our passengers' point of view, visible police surveillance is a very welcome addition to our own security efforts," says Juhana Hietaranta, Head of Security at Helsinki Metropolitan Public Transport Ltd.

During the joint surveillance, there were fewer incidents of threats and violence than usual, and any disturbances were quickly resolved on the spot.

“We received positive feedback from passengers, ticket inspectors and conductors. The presence of the police was perceived as a safety factor. Information sharing, a common situational picture and coordination of activities increase the effectiveness of surveillance work. The sharing of information, a common situational picture, and coordinated operations all contribute to more effective monitoring,” says Chief Inspector Hanna Kiiskinen of the Helsinki Police Department.

In the future, public transport enforcement will continue to be data-driven, based on the police's own situational picture and feedback from stakeholders and citizens. Visible surveillance will reduce disorderly behaviour, prevent crime and speed up the investigation of crimes that have already been committed.