15.04.2021
Transport is not only an issue of the environment but also of the quality of life, and we in Northern Ostrobothnia have a lot to do
The situation in North America is interesting. In many places, the area is strongly growing, while in other places it is strongly shrinking. We are far from other growth centres and the capital, where accessibility is a particular issue for the development of our region. As values change and in the face of Finland's emission reductions, we need environmentally sustainable ways to travel to both the rest of Finland and Europe.
Member of Parliament
The Helsinki-Oulu route is the most popular domestic flight in Finland. By speeding up the main line, you could get to Helsinki by train in as little as three and a half hours with the current train fleet and thus get a smooth alternative to flying. For a train of less than four hours, we need the green light from the government and financial assistance from the EU. Train traffic in this period was on the rise before the coronavirus. The figures, together with the freight tonnage, speak clear language in favour of additional tracks.
The Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency recently published its report on the need for changes to the main railway line. Developing the track north of Tampere would serve both passenger and freight traffic. In conclusion, the study suggests that the construction of the double track could be carried out in parts. Even in short intervals, adding a double track could make the use of the track more efficient.
The train connection to Europe via Tornio and Haparanda will take a step forward this week as a regular commuter train starts on the Swedish side of the rush Thursday. The Finnish Government has agreed that the track on the Finnish side will also be put in order. A passenger train connection to Sweden and Europe would bring new opportunities for tourism in Northern Finland and enable us Northern people to move to Europe in a climate-resilient way.
By far the largest emissions from mobility come from road transport and, in the case of passenger transport, from private cars. To replace these, we need a genuinely functional commuter train service for the Oulu region and more fast and convenient bus services to the city area. Alternative propulsion, especially electric cars, is constantly increasing. The technology of electric cars is constantly evolving, and the prices of cars with larger ranges are falling. At the same time, the network of charging points is developing, making an electric car a more attractive option everywhere.
The potential of cycling should not be underestimated. By developing good cycling paths, the opportunities for cycling can be significantly improved, including outside city centres. Especially in the flat countryside of Northern Ostrobothnia, electric cycling can offer a lot of new opportunities.
Even outside the Oulu region, there is potential to increase public transport, for example through easily accessible digital services. Large employers could also play a crucial role in this, if public transport were increasingly offered as an employment benefit and suitable shifts were negotiated with the transport operator.
The potential of transport development will increase further if we are able to make more use of the digitalisation of transport and develop travel chains. The North Ostrobothnia region, especially the Oulu region, has previously been the engine of technological development in Finland. The future of transport is full of huge opportunities for new business as well.
By solving the challenges of long distances, we can also lead the way for the rest of Finland and the world. There are, for example, magnificent nature sites in our area, the accessibility of which without a car of its own would be a service to us and future generations. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased interest in travelling in nature. At times when we face huge environmental problems, we cannot underestimate the importance of lowering the threshold for enjoying nature and experiencing contact with our environment.
Transport is an important quality of life issue. Acting on traffic makes life and our everyday life smooth. On the other hand, transport is also an important part of the solution to the environmental crisis. Northern Ostrobothnia has great nature and amazing four seasons. As the climate warms, these are under severe threat of change. By investing in sustainable mobility, we ensure that these remain the same.
Jenni Pitko, Member of Parliament (Greens)
