Residents’ Views Wanted for the Renewal of Local Public Transport in the Kotka Region

The local public transport system in the Kotka region – Jonne&Minne – is undergoing development, and residents’ views are now being sought to help shape future improvements.

“Several updates have already been made to the local bus network this year, and more are planned. Budget constraints also need to be carefully considered in planning future services. To support the development and optimisation of the future route network, we are collecting residents’ opinions through a survey, public meetings, and new public transport resident panels,” explains Esa Partanen, Head of Public Transport for the City of Kotka.

Survey Open Until 29 October

The resident survey is open from 13 to 29 October. It can be accessed at jonnejaminne.fi/kysely, and the link is also available in advertisements on buses.
The survey includes separate sections for Kotka, Hamina, and Pyhtää local transport. Responses can be submitted in Finnish, English, or Russian.

The route network reforms are based on the public transport service level objectives for the Kotka region, completed in early 2025.

“We have already begun to renew parts of the route network. During the summer and autumn of 2025, several measures have been implemented to move towards a future network model that aims for more efficient and clearer service, especially on the most important connections,” says Partanen.

Responses are particularly hoped for from active bus users, but also from residents who currently do not use public transport. The survey allows respondents to give feedback on route changes that have already been implemented.

“The survey also presents some planned changes and savings measures, the implementation of which will depend on both financial possibilities and residents’ opinions,” Partanen continues.

“The proposed savings would mainly concern off-peak weekday services and weekend routes, although some route changes may also affect peak hours,” Partanen adds.

The operating contracts for local transport in the Kotka region will be tendered mainly during 2026.

“It is important that we receive residents’ input during this autumn season to guide the planning of public transport services for the coming years,” Partanen says.

Since summer 2024, there have been temporary route changes on both Kotkansaari and Karhula, due to the construction of the Kantasatama local transport terminal and Karhula street and stop renovations.

“From August 2025 onwards, most stops have become permanent – except for one stop closure on Vesitorninkatu in Karhula – so feedback on current autumn routes and timetables is especially valuable for future planning,” Partanen notes.

The survey also includes an option for open feedback, allowing respondents to mark areas for improvement on a map.

“Among those who take part in the survey, three 30-day season tickets will be raffled,” Partanen adds with a smile.

Resident Events and Panels

After the survey, public meetings will be held in each municipality.

The Finnish-language events will take place as follows:

• Pyhtää Library: Thu 30 Oct

• Hamina Main Library: Thu 6 Nov

• Kotka Main Library: Wed 12 Nov
  All events are held from 17:00 to 18:30.

The English-language event will be held on Fri 14 Nov, and the Russian-language event on Mon 17 Nov, both at Kumppanuustalo Viikari in Kotka, from 16:30 to 18:00.

“At the events, we’ll present the different route reform options in more detail and engage in discussion about the changes,” says Partanen.

The survey and public meetings will also gather residents interested in joining public transport panels.

“The panels will provide an ongoing forum for dialogue between planners and residents about the route reform and other current public transport issues in each municipality,” Partanen explains.

The interaction related to the Kotka region’s route reform is part of the ‘Linjasto Yhdessä’ (Routes Together) project, which aims to strengthen resident participation in public transport planning. The project is implemented by the City of Kotka and receives state funding for mobility management from the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.