Citizens satisfied with the functioning and safety of traffic – attitudes towards sustainable modes of transport positive
Citizens are satisfied with the general functioning of traffic and journeys. Public transport as well as cycling routes and conditions were the most common areas in which citizens wanted to see improvements when asked about mobility options and services available in their residential areas. These opinions were expressed in a survey conducted by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom to measure citizen satisfaction with transport conditions and the standard of mobility services.
According to the national survey, which is conducted once every two years, citizens are satisfied with the general functioning and safety of journeys and gave these an overall grade of 3.9 on a scale of 1–5. Respondents were the most satisfied in the Helsinki metropolitan area as well as urban areas in Tampere, Turku and Oulu. Respondents were also satisfied with commutes to work and their place of study in different parts of Finland. Especially the predictability of travel times was considered positive, while the interoperability of different modes of transport was though to need the most development.
Train, coach and air traffic were given an overall grade of 3.6 for long journeys of over 100 km as were conditions for travel by car on these same journeys. Respondents were especially satisfied with the smooth flow of traffic and traffic safety, while they were less satisfied with the condition of roads and their winter maintenance.
Calls for investments in pedestrian traffic, cycling and public transport
Respondents stated that the ease of travel and the option of freely choosing their travel times are the factors that most influence their choice of mode of transport. Public transport as well as cycling routes and conditions were the most common areas in which respondents wanted to see improvements when asked about mobility options and services available in their residential area. The areas of focus differed depending on where the respondent lived.
Respondents gave public transport services in their own region of residence an overall grade of 3.2. Respondents who used public transport services frequently were also the most satisfied with them.
The Citizen Satisfaction with the Transport System and Travel Chains 2019 report and area-specific results (External link) have been published on the Traficom website (in Finnish). Data was collected from May to July 2019, and 4,807 respondents took part in the survey. Respondents represented various areas in Finland with differing transport services.
The survey, which examines citizen satisfaction in traffic conditions and the quality of mobility services, has been conducted biannually starting from 2011. The results of previous surveys are available on the Traficom website (External link) (in Finnish).
Enquiries:
Hanna Strömmer, Special Adviser, tel. +358 29 534 7053, hanna.strommer(at)traficom.fi