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Finland's main cities to have common travel card

A new system designed to harmonise the cost of travel throughout Finland will be introduced in the capital region and 22 major cities. The common ticketing and payment system, which has been in the offing for some years, is set to be rolled out in 2015.

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Image: Yle Uutisgrafiikka

The travel card will initially allow customers to use bus lines, but as the system gains steam rail will also form part of the common payment network. Currently, passengers must purchase separate tickets if they travel long-distance using both train and bus services.

A governing body, TVV, will be established in August to administer the new initiative.

Children, young people and senior citizens’ discounts will be consistent throughout the country to ensure equality region to region. However, ticket prices will differ between locales.

The state will contribute funding from 2013-2015, but thereafter administration of the new payment and ticketing network is designed to be self-funding.