Finnish Transport Agency in operation on 1 January 2010

The preconditions for maintaining and developing Finland's railways, roads and waterways will improve when the Finnish Transport Agency goes into operation on 1 January 2010. The new agency will merge the Finnish Rail Administration, the central units of the Finnish Road Administration and the waterway functions of the Finnish Maritime Administration.

Transport and infrastructure will in future be viewed more clearly as a whole that serves the needs of citizens and business. Personnel's extensive experience in the infrastructure and transport field will bring synergies in developing the transport system.

During the past year the Finnish Rail Administration, the Finnish Road Administration and the Finnish Maritime Administration have prepared the new agency's organization, shared systems and operating model so that the agency can get off to a smooth start.

Applications have been invited for the post of Director General of the Finnish Transport Agency and must be submitted by 30 November 2009. Other executive and managerial posts will be filled internally on the basis of applications. Existing personnel will transfer to the new agency and continue in their present tasks for the most part. At the beginning of next year the new agency will have about 700 employees.

The search has started for premises to house the new agency. It is unlikely that these will be ready before 2011, so next year departments will continue to operate in their current locations.

The new agency's logo and graphic look are being planned in cooperation with the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

Although Finland's transport administration is being reorganized, it will still provide the same services. Up-to-date information on different customer service channels and contact information are available on temporary web pages at www.liikennevirasto.fi. The agency will open its own website at the beginning of next year.

The Finnish Transport Agency will operate under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. In connection with the establishment of the new agency, the ministry decided that about 130 person-years will be relocated to Lappeenranta in eastern Finland by the end of 2015. Subsequently 47 per cent of the agency's personnel will work outside the Helsinki metropolitan area.

The Finnish Transport Safety Agency will also go into operation under the Ministry of Transport and Communications at the beginning of 2010. This will be formed by merging the Finnish Rail Agency, the Finnish Civil Aviation Authority and the maritime safety functions of the Finnish Maritime Administration, among other things.

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More information:

Director General Ossi Niemimuukko, Finnish Rail Administration,