Finland Times

The project aimed to promote consumer markets in electronic transport services and analyse the kinds of impact that would there be on services, said a ministry press release on Friday.

The project will test new operating models and technological solutions as well as cooperation among enterprises in developing the services.

Private and public sector services will be provided the same service package.

“Future transport services will be developed through experiments and a new kind of cooperation. In accordance with the New Transport Policy outlined by the Ministry, the state's role in the project will be that of a facilitator. Services will be tailored to meet the needs of drivers, for example, and at the same time new forms of business will become available for enterprises,” said Merja Kyllönen, minister of transport.

The project is open to all national and international enterprises and business consortia. 

Businesses can test and develop their own services and find new ways of cooperation. The estimated budget for the entire project is EUR 5-8 million, according to the release.

The project will open up to private drivers through business consortia in June 2014. Drivers are provided with an opportunity to be among the first to experiment new electronic 

transport services.

These include traffic information to ease driving experience, solutions for improving road safety, maintaining driving log book, and information about parking and public transport services.

In accordance with a government decision on spending limits made in spring 2013, the project will also test technological solutions, readiness and applications of transport pricing systems. 

The experiments, however, do not involve any form of taxation.