Helsinki Deputy Mayor Nasima Razmyar (SDP) is criticising plans by the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) to remove free rides for school groups. Pupils travelling with a teacher have been free of charge since 2019, but a new savings proposal by HSL suggests removing that benefit.
Razmyar said ending the free rides was a mistake that threatens to curtail the movement of pupils in the city. Liisa Pohjolainen, the former head of Helsinki's Education Division, has also questioned HSL's plan, taking to Twitter to say that fare-free rides have been an equality boosting measure.
In addition to removing free rides for school groups, the cost-cutting proposal published by HSL on Friday suggests raising ticket prices and increasing fares for some groups eligible for cheaper tickets.
The public transport company estimates that removing the school group benefit would bring in annual savings of 1.1 million euros.
The HSL board will consider the cost-cutting measures at a meeting on 1 November.
Razmyar, a deputy mayor responsible for education, said she will work to influence the board ahead of its meeting.
"HSL believes that free rides are the dominion of the Education Division and that's wrong," she said.
If approved, the move will particularly affect schools that are not within walking distance of the capital's cultural attractions.
"This is really significant from the perspective of segregation," Razmyar explained. "I've boasted to international researchers that all of Helsinki is a learning environment in which pupils can move freely. This proposal definitely waters down that idea."