Around 200 troublemakers removed from metro stations

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The newly-established zero-tolerance programme within the Helsinki public transportation system is starting to produce the hoped-for results.
      "I believe the number of all kinds of disturbances will get lower and lower in the weekends to come. The troublemakers are getting the message and will gradually disappear", estimates manager Klaus Niskala from the Helsinki City Transport (HKL).
      According to Niskala, intensified patrolling in trains and at the stations will continue for several months. The continuation will be decided on later.
     
Over the weekend, some 3,000 ticket inspections were performed by the HKL patrols. On Friday and Saturday 200 penalty fares were assigned.
      In addition to checking that passengers were travelling with a valid ticket, the inspectors paid attention to drinking and smoking. Around 150 warnings were given.
      Furthermore, 25 passengers were physically removed from the metro trains and trams.
      The patrol squads had their hands full at the metro stations in particular, from where no less than 200 troublemakers were evicted.
      According to Niskala, the removed individuals are the people who have made it a lifestyle to loiter around there. Last weekend's figures form the baseline against which the progress of the zero-tolerance campaign will be measured.
     
The Finnish Railways (VR) , the Helsinki City Transport (HKL), the Helsinki Metropolitan Area Council (YTV), the Police, the Finnish Rail Administration (RHK), and the Cities of Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa are all taking part in the campaign that was launched last Friday.
      The aim of the campaign is to weed out drinking, smoking, and travelling without a valid ticket, all of which are lamentably common, especially during the weekends.
      The VR reported the results of its operation earlier. Last weekend the patrol squads carried out over 500 tasks on local trains in the capital area, two thirds of which were removals of troublemakers from trains.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Crackdown reduces nuisance passengers from local trains in Helsinki area (4.4.2006)

Helsingin Sanomat