Four in Ten Helsinki Residents Feel Unsafe on Public Transport, Survey Finds

More than four in ten residents in the Helsinki metropolitan area feel unsafe while using public transport, with many adjusting their travel habits or avoiding certain services altogether, according to a new survey commissioned by the cities of Helsinki and Espoo.

The survey, based on responses from over 1,000 residents, found that 41 percent had experienced safety-related concerns during their journeys. The findings suggest a clear link between perceived insecurity and reduced use of buses, trains and metro services.

Some respondents reported abandoning commuter trains due to fear, while others said they now prefer private cars, citing safety as a key factor in their decision-making.

Women were more likely to report concerns than men. Among female respondents, 43 percent said they had experienced safety issues, compared with 30 percent of male respondents.

Disruptive behaviour and the presence of groups perceived as threatening were identified as the most common sources of unease, both at stations and onboard vehicles.

Concerns were notably higher during evening and night hours, when fewer and limited staffing appeared to heighten the sense of risk.

Sasu Nuokkola, a specialist at the City of Espoo, said that perceptions alone can significantly influence behaviour. “The feeling of insecurity affects people’s mobility choices even when there is no personal experience of danger,” he noted.

Physical conditions also played a role in shaping perceptions. Respondents pointed to poor lighting, unclean environments and deteriorating infrastructure at stations as factors that undermined their sense of safety.

Commuter rail stations, in particular, drew repeated criticism in open feedback.

The findings highlight growing concerns about safety in public transport and the potential long-term impact on urban mobility patterns.

**Credit: Helsinki Times