This week, Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) ticket inspectors began asking some passengers to prove their identities during ticket checks.
A number of people have contacted Yle about the matter, surprised that ticket checkers asked to see their IDs as they travelled on trains, buses and the metro.
Yle asked Sanna Hirve, the head of HSL's ticket inspection unit.
"On Monday, HSL started an enhanced personal travel ticket inspection campaign for this week. Passengers holding personal season or day tickets will also be asked for their ID," she explained, adding that the enhanced inspection effort will continue for a few more days.
"We want to get a better understanding of how much ticket misuse is taking place, in cases where people are using someone else's personal ticket. This is something that affects HSL's ticket income. We did not announce [the ID checks] in advance because we wanted to get a real picture about the situation," Hirve said.
She also confirmed that ticket inspectors do have the legal authority to check passenger IDs.
"Yes they do. According to the law, inspectors can verify the identity of passengers holding personal tickets. We have done this at other times, but not on such a large scale," she said, adding that passengers should comply with ID requests.
"If the customer has it with them, they must present it," she said.
In cases where passengers aren't carrying identification, the inspector will ask them to fill out a form with their personal information, and then check it out via the Population Information System.
"If customers refuse to share their personal information, inspectors have the authority to hand them an inspection fine, or in the worst case, ask police for assistance," Hirve explained.
"Of course, that is not a desirable situation," she noted.
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