Plainclothes ticket inspectors are being deployed more frequently on Helsinki's public transport network, as the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) seeks to curb fare evasion, which costs an estimated 40 million euros annually.
HSL announced in late February that it would increase the number of civilian-clothed inspectors. Inspections conducted in civilian clothing catch nearly twice as many fare evaders as those carried out by their colleagues in their easily identifiable blue uniforms.
Yle observed an inspection team at work for two hours, witnessing multiple €100 fines issued to passengers without tickets. Common explanations included forgetting to buy a ticket, purchasing one only after boarding or presenting an expired pass.
Element of surprise
Plain-clothes inspectors aim to catch fare dodgers by surprise, preventing situations where passengers attempt to escape through rear doors upon spotting uniformed inspectors.
The effectiveness of this approach was evident during an inspection on a tram ride from East Pasila to West Pasila, where three passengers were fined within minutes. Passengers generally accepted the penalties without protest.
"Most fare evaders either buy a mobile ticket after seeing us or simply don't have a ticket at all — they forgot to buy one, left it at home, or something similar," said ticket inspector Pirjo Kangasmäki, who has worked in the role for eight years.
Inspectors operate in teams, sometimes accompanied by security personnel. On a commuter train towards Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, one passenger provided a name that did not match their ID and later claimed to have legally changed their name. After further checks, they were fined and asked to leave the train.
Visibility versus effectiveness
While plainclothes inspections are effective in detecting fare evaders, HSL states that the primary goal is deterrence rather than maximising fines.
"Our aim is not to issue as many fines as possible, but to maintain a visible inspection presence that discourages fare evasion," explained HSL's head of inspections, Sanna Hirvi.
Currently, around three percent of HSL's inspections are conducted in civilian clothing, with plans to increase this to five percent this year. The practice is not new — HSL has used plainclothes inspectors since the early 1980s.
HSL inspectors do not receive bonuses based on the number of fines issued.
Despite a largely uneventful inspection tour with Yle, Kangasmäki acknowledged that public transport workers face increasing aggression.
"There have been incidents of shouting, swearing, spitting and unpredictable behaviour," she said.
For this reason, security personnel often accompany inspection teams, particularly on routes with higher levels of fare evasion.