Buses and coaches
The Ministry of Transport and Communications prepares bus and coach transport legislation. Guidance relating to legislation is given by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and regarding operating licences by the Finnish Transport Agency and the regional ELY Centres.
The provision of professional transport services for the carriage of passengers in return for payment is subject to licence. Licensed passenger transport by bus or coach is regulated by the Public Transport Act.
The national standard of service in bus and coach transport is decided by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Finnish Transport Agency is a government agency operating under the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and it is responsible for maintaining and developing the standard of service on the transport routes administered by the government.
1. Competent authorities
The competent authorities in bus and coach transport are the ELY Centres and the other 26 municipal authorities mentioned in the Public Transport Act. The competent regional authorities decide on the standard of service in their own areas of competence, together with the municipalities, regional councils and enterprises. The transport operators are responsible for the planning of market-based transport.
2. Bus and coach traffic and the Ministry's administrative sector
The Ministry and the Finnish Transport Agency and the competent regional authorities purchase and develop bus and coach transport services using budget appropriations allocated for public transport promotion.
- The Finnish Transport Agency develops the conditions for effective functioning of public transport and grants aid intended for promoting maritime and other forms of transport.
- The goal of the competent authority is, among other things, to develop regional transport planning procedures, demand-responsive transport, service transport and fare systems.
3. EU Regulation on Public Service Contracts
The EU regulation on public service contracts defines how public authorities can intervene in the market to ensure quality and quantity of public transport services. When the authorities conclude contracts on the procurement of public transport services, the EU regulation on public service contracts and the laws on public procurement are applied.