The Briefing
- Over 30,000 items are lost annually.
- Only one quarter of items are claimed.
- Unclaimed items are donated after three months.
Passengers on Helsinki region public transport are leaving behind a record number of personal items. However, only a fraction of commuters are taking the time to retrieve them, says the Helsinki Region Transport Authority, known as HSL.
New data from the transit authority shows that while the volume of lost property has grown by over 40 percent in the last three years, the recovery rate has steadily declined to just 25 percent.
HSL operates buses, trams, commuter trains, ferries, and the metro in the Finnish capital area. The network handles over one million boardings daily, resulting in a vast amount of belongings traveling with passengers.
In the previous year alone, 33,949 items were found across the transit network. This represents a significant increase compared to the 23,630 items recorded in 2023.
Transit officials note that the average monetary value of the forgotten items has decreased in recent years. Valuable goods like watches and jewelry still almost always find their way back to their owners, with the most expensive item ever recovered being a luxury watch.
“Lowering average value might partly explain why items are not asked after as actively as before,” says Saana Ruonala, HSL customer service manager. She adds that many people do not know they can inquire about items for free at physical Lost and Found offices.
The most common items handed in include keys, drinking bottles, umbrellas, and seasonal clothing like winter beanies and gloves.
Handling companies can charge a fee
Under the Finnish Lost Property Act, handling companies can charge a statutory fee for returning items to their owners. This finder’s fee is calculated as five percent of the item’s current value, but it is capped at a maximum of 17 euros.
The most common items handed in include keys, drinking bottles, umbrellas, and seasonal clothing like winter beanies and gloves. Unconventional discoveries have included a wedding dress, a whole turkey, a cake, and a scratching brush designed for dairy cows.
Commuters looking for lost items are advised to wait two days before making an inquiry to allow the property to reach the sorting facility. Inquiries can be made for free in person at the Lost and Found Finland office located at Helsinki Central Station, or for a fee via their website (found.fi) or phone service.
According to Finnish regulations, items left unclaimed after three months become the property of Lost and Found Finland. Most of these abandoned goods are subsequently donated to charity or properly recycled.
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