The coronavirus pandemic has had a considerable impact on road traffic volumes in Finland this year. In December, we have seen about 15% less traffic nationwide than a year earlier. We also expect holiday traffic to be much quieter than usual. Visit the Traffic Situation service for up-to-date traffic information, including weather camera images, electric car charging points and details on trains and flights. Traffic management on land, in the air and at sea will again help everyone to get where they are going at Christmas, safely and smoothly.
This year, we invite you to consider very closely whether you need to be on the road. If you do decide to drive around Christmas, please check our Traffic Situation service to see what the road conditions are like on your itinerary. You can also see whether any disruptions or roadworks are to be expected.
“The Traffic Situation service allows you to optimise your time of departure and to look at traffic and road conditions before you even leave home. Last week, we introduced information on electric car charging points. Refuelling points for gas cars had already been added before. The weather camera images are also very useful when planning a trip,” says Development Manager Mika Ahvenainen. For further information, read this bulletin issued on 15 December.
The Traffic Situation app can be downloaded for free from the Play Store or App Store.
For Christmas tips from the Traffic Situation service, watch this video: https://youtu.be/IgIP2-gRmoE
Road traffic this Christmas is hard to predict
“The coronavirus pandemic is making it particularly challenging to predict Christmas traffic this year. We have no idea as yet how many people will decide to visit relatives for the holidays. It is likely that we will see traffic volumes lower than normal in Christmas traffic too,” says Kari Tarkki, Head of the Road Management Centre.
Normally, the day before Christmas Eve is the busiest day on the roads. This will be next Wednesday. The traditional congestion spikes come between 12.00 and 16.00 and can be found on highway no. 4 between Lahti and Mikkeli and on other roads leading out from the Helsinki metropolitan area.
The Road Traffic Centre monitors traffic flow on a 24/7 basis, and Christmas is no exception. The goal is to keep the traffic moving as safely as possible. The Road Traffic Centre would like to remind drivers of the importance of proactive driving, so as to allow sufficient safety and weather margins, i.e. space and time to respond to any unexpected situations on the road. Observing coronavirus safety measures is an added parameter during Christmas travels this year.
“When you stop for a break, remember all the usual things: safe distancing, hand hygiene and face masks,” says Tarkki.
Watch the videos:
What to consider in Christmas traffic: https://youtu.be/O8ZqEh9GNs4
Road traffic predictions for this Christmas: https://youtu.be/sE60ChdDvU4
Christmas on the rails is almost the same as usual
Railway Traffic Management is responsible for the safe running of trains in Finland on a 24/7 basis, Christmas included. Safe travel is always the prime concern.
“This exceptional year has had an impact on rail transport like everything else, particularly in terms of passenger numbers. But despite the coronavirus, Christmas traffic will be running more or less as normal,” says Operations Manager Veera Jämsén.
This year, particular attention should be paid to safe travels on board trains and other public transport: wear a face mask, practice good hand hygiene and keep safe distances.
For more on how to prepare for winter on the rails, watch the video. Christmas travels on the railways in 2020:
New passenger information system brings passengers more accurate information with visual impact
The passenger information system at railway stations will be given a significant upgrade during the remainder of this year and in 2021. The new system has been introduced gradually in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
“In the future, passengers will be given more accurate information with improved visual impact on trains and timetables and on any exceptional circumstances. All announcements will be made in a new, clear voice, and thanks to modern audio technology it is now easier to generate information on exceptional circumstances. The train departures service will also contain more detailed information on timetables, stops and disruptions,” says Tuomas Lehteinen, Head of Passenger Information.
For further information on the passenger information system reform, watch this video: https://youtu.be/wHaulK7nrGc
Further information:
Contact information for the media is collected here. You can monitor how traffic is evolving in the run-up to Christmas and compare traffic levels to last year’s data or by region here.
