Ministry of Transport and Communications officials’ message to the next government: It is time for bold decisions

Ministry of Transport and Communications officials' message to the next government: It is time for bold decisions

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has published its policy outlook for the 2027 change of government. The key objectives are to generate growth, safeguard society and build trust. The policy outlook sets out the most important measures needed to achieve these goals.

"Shaping the future is now more demanding than ever before because today's world is so difficult to manage. Tough times call for bold decisions. However, we want to emphasise that Finland has tremendous resources and strong leading expertise to draw on," Permanent Secretary Anna-Mari Ahonen said.

The policy outlook of the Ministry of Transport and Communications elaborates on the key messages published by the ministries' permanent secretaries in May 2026.

Public officials of the Ministry of Transport and Communications highlight the importance of research-based information and its role in societal decision-making. As public finances tighten and fiscal room for manoeuvre narrows, economic decisions must be grounded ever more firmly in data.

Determined action on artificial intelligence can boost growth and productivity

Data is the foundation of artificial intelligence solutions. We must ensure the safe and efficient use of public data resources. To do this, we need to invest both in data and in data infrastructures. Finland needs a clear and practical vision, together with an implementation and investment plan to deliver the transition to artificial intelligence. At the same time, Finland must assume an active role in shaping the EU's Digital Single Market and the European AI infrastructure. National measures are also needed to strengthen the communications networks that enable the use of AI.

More investment is needed in cybersecurity

The number and severity of cyber threats are increasing. Public authorities must have sufficient cybersecurity resources as society moves into the age of AI and quantum technologies. One of Finland's key strengths in cybersecurity is the exceptionally close and trusted cooperation between public authorities and private companies. A strong and capable civilian authority that promotes information sharing and cooperation must remain the cornerstone of cybersecurity and cyber defence.

Maintaining the existing transport network must be a priority

Sufficient funding must be allocated to maintaining the existing transport network. The selection of any new investment should be based on the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency's investment programme.

Separate funding should be used for any military mobility projects that are primarily designed for defence purposes. The promotion of any other billion-euro projects should be based on external off-budget funds as well as clear socioeconomic benefits

Transport taxation and financing need urgent reform

The difficult state of public finances is eroding the financial base of our transport system. At the same time, revenues from transport taxes are falling as electrification advances. That is why we need to modernise our transport pricing system gradually.

According to the policy outlook, the key elements of this modernisation process include linking vehicle taxation to road maintenance costs, introducing benefit-based charges and cost-sharing mechanisms for new infrastructure projects, and implementing regional congestion charges in major urban areas.

Climate policy needs more ambition

Rapid and effective measures are needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Phasing out fossil fuels must be accelerated to mitigate climate change, strengthen strategic self-sufficiency and promote investment in the green transition.

Measures are needed especially in road transport. The obligation to distribute renewable transport fuels should remain on at least the upward path set out in current legislation. In addition, emissions trading for road transport is an essential policy instrument.

Finland should exert influence on EU regulation to ensure that effective emissions reduction measures remain at a sufficient level for Finland. The transition to fossil-free fuels must be based on fairness. EU auction revenues returned from the aviation and maritime sectors should be used to support the green transition in those sectors.

Publicly supported transport services in the healthcare and social welfare sector should be made more efficient

There should be more effective ways to procure publicly supported transport services in the healthcare and social welfare sector. The next government should launch pilot projects to improve these services further. This would generate savings and create better services.

What's next?

Policy outlooks provide information prepared by public officials for the use of political parties preparing for parliamentary elections and to support government formation talks. Public officials present policy options for addressing the challenges they have identified, but the final choices are made by political decision-makers.

In addition to the policy outlook, the Ministry of Transport and Communications has published 22 non-papers that examine the outlook's themes in greater depth.

Inquiries

Anna-Mari Ahonen, Permanent Secretary, tel. +358 295 342 389, [email protected]
Hanna Perälä, Director of Strategy, tel. +358 295 342 007, [email protected]

Requests for interviews: Aapo Riihimäki, Head of Communications, tel. +358 295 160 209, [email protected]