Hydrogen and AI drive next-gen public transport in Finland

The buses, manufactured by CaetanoBus in Portugal, will arrive in Finland in early June. The Central Finland Mobility Foundation (CEFMOF) has acquired the vehicles and will lease them to Koiviston Auto Jyväskylä, which will operate and maintain the fleet. Services will be introduced gradually in cooperation with Jyväskylä Region Public Transport.

The pilot will assess how hydrogen-powered buses perform in real operating conditions, including Finland’s varied – and often challenging – climate. If implementation remains on schedule, the first vehicles could enter service later this summer, with full rollout expected by autumn.

The initiative is closely linked to the development of Finland’s first large-scale green hydrogen refuelling station, currently under construction in Jyväskylä – one of four planned nationally. Once operational, the station will serve a range of vehicles, from buses and lorries to taxis and passenger cars.

The introduction of hydrogen buses will help build consistent fuel demand, supporting the station’s long-term viability as a central node in Central Finland’s hydrogen infrastructure.

Low-emission transport expands in Jyväskylä

The pilot complements Jyväskylä’s existing public transport system, which already includes electric, biogas and renewable diesel vehicles. Hydrogen adds a flexible, fast-refuelling option – particularly suitable for longer routes and higher capacity needs.

“We are promoting carbon neutrality through various projects utilising green hydrogen, allowing citizens to experience its potential and raising public awareness,” said Haruka Arai, executive director from CEFMOF. “This project aims to enhance urban transport and tackle environmental challenges, supporting Jyväskylä's transition to sustainable solutions and contributing to a cleaner, healthier urban environment and a resilient local economy.”

With a population of approximately 145 000, Jyväskylä is positioning itself as a regional leader in sustainable mobility. Its growing network of low-emission transport supports broader goals for climate resilience and carbon neutrality.

The Jyväskylä pilot feeds into Finland’s national hydrogen strategy, which targets the production of one million tonnes of pure hydrogen annually by 2030 – around 10 per cent of the EU’s target.

Mood monitoring to improve safety and comfort

Elsewhere in Finland, a new research initiative is testing whether AI can detect the emotional atmosphere inside trams and buses. The goal is to create ‘situation-aware’ services that enhance passenger safety and comfort without compromising privacy.

The HIPE project, led by VTT in collaboration with Teleste and Ambientia, is developing a platform that uses cameras, sensors and real-time analytics to interpret passengers’ movements and expressions. This provides operators with a live view of onboard mood, helping them anticipate disturbances and respond quickly.

Built from existing components, the technology could be deployed in live operations. Data is shared securely with transport staff, and the system has been designed to comply with EU privacy standards.

“With this technology, we can build smart transport environments where operators, passengers, technology providers, and safety personnel work seamlessly together,” said Jani Väre, innovation director at Teleste.

The project places strong emphasis on ethical implementation, aiming to balance innovation with robust data protection and public trust.

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