Dozens of urban routes across Finland could be at risk – big bus company has problems in several cities

image manipulation where pictures of the network's buses are placed next to each other. — Vekka Group’s difficulties came to the fore last week when the city of Hämeenlinna went public with its problems with the company.

Vekka Group has no record of payment defaults, but there are concerns about the continuity of its operations. Different cities are preparing for problems in their operations.

Six cities are facing the fate of their public transport systems because of the difficulties of the Vekka Group.

Yle found out what kind of problems Vekka Group is facing in Kajaani, Tampere, Lahti, Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki and Vaasa.

The map shows the six most significant places where Vekka Group runs local or regional traffic: Hämeenlinna, Lahti, Riihimäki, Tampere, Kajaani and Vaasa. — Vekka Group has various problems in six cities, according to a report by Yle.

Debt from rental buses in Tampere

In Tampere, Vekka Group has accumulated debts. Last year, EUR 85 000 of this debt was incurred for buses hired from Tampere City Transport. The company paid off its debts when they were threatened with withholding from transport fares.

Veka has an extensive agreement with the city of Tampere. The city has not made any complaints, but minor contract violations occur every month, for example due to unwashed buses.

Line 80 operated by Vekka Group stops in the center of Ylöjärvi. — Vekka operates six Nysse lines in the Tampere region.

Vekka did not respond to Yle’s request for comment on Tampere’s problems.

The company also operates Nysse traffic in Valkeakoski. In addition, Vekka runs the line between Valkeakoski, Akaa and Urjala.

Riihimäki suspects the wrong fuel

In Riihimäki, Vekka Group started operating on almost all R bus lines in the city last summer.

According to the city, there have been cars in traffic whose emission class or coloring did not correspond to the agreed. There are also suspicions that the company does not use renewable fuel in accordance with the contract.

For now, Riihimäki is content to monitor whether Vekka fixes the problems.

In Lahti, people are on their toes

A close-up of the Lahti region transport minibus. It says on the back glass: Lempi delivers from door to door. — Lehtimäen Liikenne also operates the Lempi service in Lahti. Archive photo.

According to the challenge application, the company has not paid the rent of the bus terminal from March 2024, i.e. a total of almost 100,000 euros is owed. In addition, almost EUR 19,000 is owed for the use of bus washing equipment. Lehtimäki Liikenne demands that the lawsuit be dismissed.

The former owner also has wage receivables from the company. Vekka Group disputes Lehtimäki’s claims and demands that this suit be dismissed as well.

Disputes with Hämeenlinna highlighted Veka’s difficulties

Vekka’s difficulties came to the fore last week, when the city of Hämeenlinna went public with its problems with Vekka. At the end of December, Vekka announced that it would unilaterally terminate all contracts for managing public transport with the city of Hämeenlinna.

According to the company, the reason for terminating the contracts was mistrust of the city. The city believes that the real reason for Veka’s desire to terminate the contracts is the too low offers made by the company in the tender.

A white bus on the icy road on the side of the road. The number 1 and Kukoinstenyrjä are written above the door. — Vekka drives more than every other local bus in Hämeenlinna. The company also operates regional transport lines in Hämeenlinna, Hattula and Janakkala.

Despite the harsh words, negotiations between the city and Veka are still taking place.

Vaasa offsets its claims for transport fees

Vaasa resolved the matter by offsetting the traffic fees it received from Veka already in advance. About 330,000 euros have already been cleared and the remaining 43,000 euros will be cleared from January traffic fees. Both parties have accepted this arrangement.

In the Vaasa region, Vekka manages the Lifti public transport operation of Vaasa and Mustasaari. Last year, almost two million trips were made.

There are payment delays but no defaults yet

Vekka Group has payment delays of hundreds of thousands of euros. The biggest delays concern statutory pension insurance contributions of more than 190,000 euros. In addition to pension payments, fuel bills, tire purchases and, for example, purchases of work clothes are also open. The company has no actual payment defaults.

The company’s previous fiscal year ended in May 2024. At that time, Vekka Group made a loss of more than 800,000 euros.

Vekka Group oy is one of the largest bus groups in Finland. According to the company, it has about 400 employees and about 300 buses.

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