Brokering and dispatch services and integrated mobility services

Definition of brokering and dispatch services and integrated mobility services

Brokering and dispatch services and integrated mobility services as of 1 July 2018.

Brokering and dispatch centres are called brokering and dispatch services as of 1 July 2018. Brokering and dispatch services broker and dispatch other operators’ single journeys or transportations in return for remuneration. Brokering and dispatch services can also broker and dispatch their own journeys or transportations at the same time. Brokering and dispatch services also include the brokering and dispatch of goods transport services. For example, a taxi dispatch centre and Matkahuolto are brokering and dispatch services. 

Integrated mobility services mean a so-called MaaS (Mobility as a Service) operator that combines at least two different operators’ journeys for the customer, for example a train and bus journey, a train and taxi journey or a long-distance bus journey with at least one transfer where the traffic operator changes in the course of the journey.

If the company offers both brokering and dispatch services and integrated mobility services, it is both a brokering and dispatch service provider and an integrated mobility service provider and it must comply with the requirements laid down for each journey type listed below.

Notification to Traficom

Brokering and dispatch services and integrated mobility services must submit a notification to Traficom. The notification is subject to a fee. The question as to whether the company is operating only as a brokering and dispatch service provider or an integrated mobility service provider or as both does not affect the amount of the fee. To submit the notification, fill in Traficom’s electronic form. (External link) 

Key requirements for brokering and dispatch services

Brokering and dispatch services of passenger transport are obligated to open their essential data via an interface   and to keep the data up-to-date. The obligation has entered into force on 1 January 2018.

If brokering and dispatch services use a data system-based ordering system and provide an opportunity to reserve a journey in advance, the brokering and dispatch services must also open an interface for reserving a journey.

• Brokering and dispatch services can also include the data concerning the transport services they broker and dispatch in their interface notification.

Information to be disclosed in the electronic services of brokering and dispatch services

Brokering and dispatch services must disclose at least the following information about their services on their website or on their other electronic services:

• Information on whether the transport services are provided subject to a licence or if the transport services have been exempt from having a licence
• The primary operating area, the services provided including times of service, as well as any changes or cancellations
• Prices or the basis for calculating the prices
• The payment methods in use
• Services and assistance available for disabled passengers, accessibility of the fleet, and equipment that facilitates passengers in boarding the vehicle and interaction with the driver
• Instructions for providing customer feedback and procedures in case of errors.

Requirements towards the customer

• The customer has the right to pay for the journey in cash or using the most commonly accepted payment cards. If the company restricts these methods of payment, this must be told to the customer and accepted by the customer when the journey is ordered or reserved.
• The customer must, before the order is confirmed, be informed of the price of the taxi journey or of the basis for calculating the price.
• If the total price of the taxi services (incl. tax etc.) exceeds or the service provider suspects it will exceed 100 euros before the journey begins or the order is confirmed, the price of the services must be expressly agreed on. The service provider must ensure that the customer has understood that the services cost over 100 euros. If a dispute arises with the customer on whether the price has been agreed on, the service provider bears the burden of proof. The obligation to agree on the price applies to all the ways of ordering a taxi.
• If the taxi services are based on a procurement contract that has not been made with the consumer, it is not necessary to agree on the price of a single taxi service separately when the price exceeds 100 euros. Thus, in practice, the obligation does not apply to, for example, taxi journeys that Kela or municipalities have put out to tender or journeys for which, for example, a company has entered into an agreement with a taxi entrepreneur concerning the price of the taxi services of its staff.
• The customer must be informed about the party he or she may contact at various points of the travel chain or after its completion if the journey has not been carried out as stated in the confirmation given to the customer.

Obligations concerning all the brokering and dispatch services

• Brokering and dispatch services must make sure that the companies whose services they broker and dispatch have a valid transport licence. 

  Check valid road transport licences and notifications

• Traficom must be notified of the total sum of remuneration known of the transportations that have been brokered and dispatched last year per company if the data has not been provided to the Finnish Tax Administration. For the first time the notification must be submitted in January 2019.
• A notification on the activities must be submitted to Traficom. The notification must describe the services provided and include the service provider’s contact information.
• The notification obligation applies to all operators, including the brokering and dispatch centres currently in operation.

Key requirements for integrated mobility services

Integrated mobility service operators must work together with other operators that are opening transport services’ interfaces. Integrated mobility services must also open the interfaces needed to verify travel rights.

Information to be disclosed in the electronic services of integrated mobility services

Integrated mobility services must disclose at least the following information about their services on their website or their other electronic services:

• Information on whether the transport services are provided subject to a licence or if the transport services have been exempt from having a licence
• The primary operating area, the services provided including times of service, as well as any changes or cancellations
• Prices or the basis for calculating the prices
• The payment methods in use
• Services and assistance available for disabled passengers, accessibility of the fleet, and equipment that facilitates passengers in boarding the vehicle and interaction with the driver
• Instructions for providing customer feedback and procedures in case of errors.

Other obligations of integrated mobility services

• The customer must be informed about the party he or she may contact at various points of the travel chain or after its completion if the journey has not been carried out as stated in the confirmation given to the customer.
• If integrated mobility services also broker and dispatch single journeys, for example taxi journeys, they also become brokering and dispatch services, in which case the integrated mobility services must, as far as these journeys are concerned, comply with all the requirements laid down for the brokering and dispatch services.
• A notification on the activities must be submitted to Traficom. The notification must describe the services provided and include the service provider’s contact information.