As part of the GEMINI project, HSL (Helsinki Region Transport) and Uber are piloting how on‑demand rides can be integrated with public transport to make “first and last mile” journeys smoother and more sustainable.
In three suburban areas (Postipuisto and Itä‑Pakila in Helsinki, and Ylästö in Vantaa), Uber rides are now built directly into HSL’s Journey Planner. During the three‑month pilot, passengers can connect between selected residential areas and nearby main public transport stops for a fixed price of €3.30, under defined conditions. If the ride costs more than €100, €3.30 plus the amount over €100 is paid.
The pilot tests whether demand‑responsive transport (DRT) linked to public transport can:
- improve everyday convenience, and
- reduce short car trips to and from stations.
The service is used by first planning the trip in HSL’s browser‑based Journey Planner (reittiopas.hsl.fi/etusivu), where some routes in the pilot areas include an Uber ride as part of the journey. When a route with Uber is selected, a single‑use code is obtained by following the link in the route details to receive an Uber voucher. Finally, the ride is ordered in the Uber app, where the voucher is entered and the ride (UberX or Uber Green, subject to availability) is requested.
The Uber ride and public transport ticket are separate. A valid HSL ticket is still required for the bus, tram, train or light rail part of the journey. Uber riders must be 18+ to use the service independently; under‑18s may travel only with an adult.
This pilot is part of the EU‑funded GEMINI project. In Finland, partners include Forum Virium Helsinki and Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, in collaboration with HSL Helsingin seudun liikenne and Uber.
Through this pilot, we are supporting GEMINI’s mission to develop shared mobility solutions that:
- make sustainable travel more attractive, and
- test how public and private mobility services can work together.