Draft budget of the Ministry of Transport and Communications EUR 3.5 billion

Ministry of Transport and Communications
Publication date 16.8.2019 13.55
Press release
Road Helsinki-Turku (Photo: Sergey-73/Shutterstock)
Road Helsinki-Turku (Photo: Sergey-73/Shutterstock)

The Ministry of Transport and Communications proposes that EUR 3.5 billion be allocated to its administrative branch for 2020. This is over EUR 600 million more than in the budget for 2019.

It is proposed that EUR 2.1 billion be allocated to the transport and communications network, EUR 773 million to transport and communication services and EUR 621 million to administration and joint expenditure for the administrative branch.

The future-oriented investments in the Ministry's administrative branch will be decided separately at the time of the government budget session.

More funding to basic transport infrastructure management

A majority of the appropriations to transport and communications networks, EUR 1.4 billion, would be allocated to the basic transport infrastructure management of roads, railways and waterways. The appropriations proposed to the basic transport infrastructure management account for around EUR 334 million more than budgeted for 2019. In accordance with the Government Programme, EUR 20 million is proposed to be allocated to improving the winter maintenance of roads. In the second supplementary budget for 2019, an appropriation of EUR 40 million was allocated to basic infrastructure management for launching eight new basic repair projects.

In infrastructure management, priority would be given to measures ensuring the daily functioning of transport, the good condition of the network that is busy and important for business and industry, and the opportunities provided by digitalisation.

An appropriation of EUR 13 million is proposed for private road grants.

Transport infrastructure development

New projects in transport infrastructure development that are to be started in 2020 will be confirmed as the negotiations on the budget progress.

In 2019, seven new infrastructure investment projects that the Government adopted in the second supplementary budget for 2019 will be started.

It is proposed that EUR 334 million be allocated to the  transport infrastructure projects that were adopted in the previous years.

Promotion of walking and cycling

The Ministry of Transport and Communications proposes that an appropriation of EUR 3.5 million be allocated to the promotion of walking and cycling and to public transport projects in local government.

As part of the promotion programme adopted by the Government, a joint investment programme by the state and municipalities would be implemented to improve the conditions for walking and cycling. The promotion programme is part of the national energy and climate strategy.

Transport and communication services

Altogether EUR 92 million would be allocated to improving the competitiveness of vessels in maritime transport.

An appropriation of EUR 108 million would be allocated for purchasing and developing public transport services. This includes the additional EUR 20 million to climate-related measures as specified in the Government Programme. A decision on the precise purposes for which the additional funding will be used is due to be submitted in the coming months.

An additional EUR 1.25 million is proposed for the purchases in archipelago and ferry transport services. It would be used for repairing the quays used by the ferries. In total, the appropriation would be over EUR 19 million.

Projects of the Finnish Meteorological Institute

It is proposed that additional EUR 750,000 be allocated to the operating appropriations of the Finnish Meteorological Institute for providing space weather services in accordance with the requirements of the global ICAO Space Weather Centre.

Additional EUR 625,000 are proposed to be allocated to the Meteorological Institute to fund the European Aerosol, Clouds and Trace gases Research Infrastructure (ACTRIS).

Inquiries:

Mikko Koskinen, State Secretary, tel. +358 50 304 2007

Basic transport infrastructure management, infrastructure network development, walking and cycling:
Sabina Lindström, Director-General, tel.  + 358 040,527 6103

Transport and communication services:
Sini Wirén, Director of Basic Services Unit, tel. +358 40 507 0916

Sanna Ruuskanen, Director of Finance and Development Unit, tel. +358 50 344 3400

Sanna Marin