The increase in public transport trips shows no signs of slowing down. In 2025, there were a total of 11.6 million trips on OSL buses, 7.1 percent more than in 2024. The number of trips has grown year by year since the establishment of the authority area, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel plummeted.
Travel volume development in 2025 by region and month
Compared to 2024, the largest increase of 27 % was recorded in Lumijoki. Travel increased by 22 % in Liminka, 18 % in Kempele, 16 % in Ii, 12 % in Muhos, 6 % in Oulu, and 6 % in Tyrnävä. Trips are recorded in the area where the customer boards.
In public transport, travel increased on average by six percent, even during the traditionally quiet summer months. However, the highest travel volumes were recorded, as usual, during the coldest months of winter, which last year were February, March, and November. During these months, trips were on average just over 10 percent higher than in the corresponding months of the previous year.
Most popular routes
The most popular route of 2025, with 1,365,503 trips, was route 2, running between Ritaharju and Metsokangas. The second most popular route is route 3, running between Aaltokangas and Metsokangas, with 1,023,854 trips. The third most popular route, route 1, had 889,939 trips during the year.
Customer satisfaction is high
In the autumn customer satisfaction survey, OSL received an overall score of 4.14/5 (10/2024: 4.29/5).
The survey measured customers’ willingness to recommend public transport using the NPS score. OSL received an NPS recommendation index of 51 (10/2024: 53). This score is very good for a public operator. The NPS index ranges from minus one hundred to one hundred.
Several actions in the background
Growth has been preceded by investments in the accessibility of public transport in recent years. Communication about tickets and services, as well as operating models, has been standardized in recent years.
Payment methods have been increased, and the detailed zone model has been replaced with a common public transport area for all, i.e., flat fare. Customers have been provided with more information about current services through the OSL app and journey planner.
Operations have been developed by coordinating schedules, and the route network has been developed together with partners. Services have been added on the most requested routes, while also considering the importance of public transport in strengthening the area’s vitality.
OSL has also moved toward carbon-neutral transportation. Today, every other OSL bus runs on electricity. In addition to electric buses, three biogas buses and around twenty biodiesel buses help reduce OSL’s emissions. When the new operating agreements come into effect in summer 2027, more than three out of four buses will be zero-emission electric buses.