Helsinki survives public transport strike - drivers return to work Tuesday morning

print this

The one-day drivers’ strike on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) concluded in the early hours of Tuesday.
      The stoppage, which was called to protest plans for a merger of HKL bus lines with those of the city-owned contractor Suomen Turistiauto, caused fewer problems than anticipated.
      Residents had prepared for the situation by giving themselves more time than than usual to get to work, and by organising car pools. Some took the day off, and many took taxis to work. In spite of the rain, many opted for a bicycle.
      Traffic was heaviest on the Itäväylä motorway, which links the centre of the city with Helsinki's eastern suburbs. These are served primarily by the Helsinki Metro, which did not operate on Monday.
      As many as 1,400 taxis were mobilised to cope with the demand, but by ten in the morning 780 of them were standing idle.
      "Perhaps we overshot the mark slightly, but it is better this way than to have a serious shortage", said Kari Westerlund, chairman of the Helsinki Taxi Association
     
There were concerns that the transport problems could affect school pupils taking part in Monday’s matriculation examinations. Only one participant was late to the English language listening comprehension test, but was allowed to participate anyway.
      The unions involved in the dispute plan a demonstration in Helsinki on Wednesday to protest the proposed reorganisation. 


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Strike by Helsinki City Transport drivers causes less traffic chaos than expected (13.9.2004)
  Helsinki City Transport drivers to strike on Monday - traffic chaos likely (10.9.2004)

Links:
  Helsinki City Transport

Helsingin Sanomat