Majority of Espoo residents willing to reduce driving
Public transport in Helsinki seen to be among best in Europe
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Residents of Espoo largely agree that the increase in traffic is having a negative effect on the state of the local environment.
The Espoo Environment Centre commissioned a study on the environmental attitudes and behaviour of residents of Espoo, which is one of the three big cities of the Greater Helsinki area. According to the survey, improving public transport was seen as the best way to reduce the use of private cars.
The poll showed a willingness to drive less, with 80 per cent of those commuting to work, and 60 per cent of those who mainly drive during their free time, saying that they would be wiling to drive less.
The survey was conducted by TNS Gallup, and the responses came by letter from Espoo residents above the age of 18.
Transportation in Espoo is still largely based on the use of private cars. Just over a quarter of respondents to the survey used public transport.
Espoo residents saw climate change and air pollution to be the most serious global environmental problems. Reducing the use of private cars was seen to have a key role in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
Meanwhile, a study commissioned by the European Commission last year indicates that public transport in Helsinki is the best in Europe when measured against residents' satisfaction.
According to the study, 92 per cent of Helsinki residents were satisfied, or very satisfied with public transport in the city.
About five per cent were fairly dissatisfied with Helsinki public transport, while fewer than one per cent were very dissatisfied.
Coming in second in the study was the Austrian capital Vienna.
Also finishing with high marks were the French city of Rennes, and a number of German cities, including Hamburg, Munich, Dortmund, and Leipzig.
In the study, 500 residents in each of 75 cities in the European Union were asked about their views on local public transport. In addition to EU cities, the survey included cities in Croatia and Turkey.
Helsingin Sanomat
