Summer increased local public transport use in Lappeenranta by 15 per cent

Summer increased local public transport use in Lappeenranta by 15 per cent

The use of local public transport in Lappeenranta increased by 14.9 per cent in June and by 15.2 per cent in July. The number of trips made during each month exceeded the corresponding number for the previous year by more than 8,300 trips. The upward trend began in May, when the overall use of local public transport increased by 4.5 per cent.

The City of Lappeenranta’s Traffic Engineer Birgitta Nakari was surprised by the increase in the number of bus trips.

‒ Normally, July is the slowest month for local buses, and this summer we also had an exceptional number of hot sunny days, which tend to make people move around even less. I think that compared to the previous year, the increase is surprisingly high, which means that the low-season fares were received really well, Nakari says cheerfully.

Starting on 1 May 2014, the local public transport fares in Lappeenranta were reduced as were the multi-tickets that were renewed for the low-floor buses running on routes 1, 2, 3, 3K, 4, 5, 9 and 10 within the urban area. Other changes were the one-hour transfer right and the introduction of low-season fares for July, during which a single ticket cost €1.00 for children under 12 years of age and €2.00 for adults, regardless of the time of day.

During months other than July, the low-season fares are valid in the evenings after 17.30 and on the weekends. Normally, a single ticket costs €1.50 for children and €3.00 for adults.

This September will show how the new multi-tickets for local public transport are received.

‒ I believe that bus use will continue to increase in the autumn as well, once students and older people discover our renewed multi-tickets. Students will also use local public transport more as they do not have to be a registered resident of Lappeenranta to buy the specially-priced multi-tickets, Nakari predicts.

It has not been possible to compare the increases by ticket product yet; in the initial phase, only the overall use of local public transport has been compared to the previous year’s corresponding figures.

A total of 64,602 trips were made in June this year, which is 8,370 trips more compared to the previous year. A total of 63,014 trips were made in July, which is 8,308 trips more compared to the previous year.

The city of Lappeenranta can now influence the ticket products and their prices without restrictions and regulations, because the responsibility for the organisation of local public transport has been transferred to the city. Based on a contract awarded through a competitive tendering procedure, the transport services will be procured from Autolinjat Oy.

The reform is aimed at promoting the use of public transport and encouraging people to travel also outside of peak hours.

– We aim to strengthen the Green Lappeenranta brand and make travelling more convenient for customers. The changes have been made on the basis of customer feedback. In three previous years, we have collected feedback from our customers through an online survey in the autumn, and we will be conducting the survey again this November, Nakari promises.

Single ticket for local public transport
Adults € 3.00 (was € 3.30–3.60), children under 12 years € 1.50 (was € 1.70–1.80)
Weekends, public holidays and weekdays after 17.30:
Adults € 2.00, children under 12 years €1.00
(New feature>) Includes a 60-minute transfer right

Multi-ticket for 22 trips for local public transport (new product)
Adults (16−64 years) €50
Adults (65+) €35
Students (full-time) €35
Children and young people (4−15 years) €35
Valid for 3 months, includes a 60-minute transfer right

Student multi-ticket for 44 trips on local buses
Full-time students €51
Valid for 3 months, (new feature>) includes a 60-minute transfer right
(new feature>) The student does not need to be a registered resident of Lappeenranta

City Card (no changes)
City Card for adults €54
City Card for students €43
City Card for young people, 12−16 years €35
City Card for children, 4−11 years €25
Valid for 30 days from the date of purchase

A veteran’s pass
valid as before, free of charge

Persons travelling with prams and pushchairs
can still travel for free on the low-floor buses running on routes 1, 2, 3, 3K, 4, 5, 9 and 10.
Two prams at a time fit in the local buses.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Traffic Engineer Birgitta Nakari
tel. +358 40 502 5263
birgitta.nakari@lappeenranta.fi