Ventoniemi through the decades

For over 90 years, Ventoniemi has taken people near and far — always with uncompromising quality. Welcome to explore our history.

When great-grandfather bought a car

The origins of Ventoniemi trace back to the 1920s, when a 22-year-old son of a farming family from Metsä-kulma in Mäntsälä found his passion shifting from agriculture to automobiles. It was the year 1928 when that young man, Väinö Ventoniemi, purchased his first car and began working as a professional taxi driver.

The early 1930s brought a shift in operations. While serving in the Finnish Defence Forces, Väinö Ventoniemi gained experience with heavier vehicles. As a result, the taxi was replaced with a truck. Timber hauling began in Mäntsälä and later continued in Jokela, which soon became the new home base for Ventoniemi’s business.

The early 1940s were a turbulent time in Finland. Under orders from the Defence Forces, Väinö Ventoniemi set out with his truck to operate on the Arctic Ocean route between Rovaniemi and Liinahamari. This route became Finland’s only wartime lifeline to the outside world. In 1943, bus transport was added to the picture. Service began on the so-called “mixed train” route from Jokela to Hyvinkää to Helsinki. The vehicle could carry 10 passengers, while the platform held freight and milk. This line is still in operation today – though now with modern buses.

Towards growth

The 1950s marked a period of growth in Finland. In response, Väinö Ventoniemi built business premises and vehicle maintenance garages in Jokela. A forward-thinking entrepreneur, he also acquired gravel areas. With the increase in gravel transport and bus traffic, Ventoniemi became a significant employer in the Uusimaa region.

In the 1960s, Finns were struck by a desire to travel. It’s no surprise then that in 1965, Väinö Ventoniemi co-founded Hyvinkään Matkatoimisto (Hyvinkää Travel Agency). Bus operations expanded through several company acquisitions, and new facilities were built in Hyvinkää. The business operations were divided into limited liability companies, giving rise to Ventoniemi Oy and Ventoniemen Sora Oy. These companies formed a strong family-owned enterprise.

The 1970s were a decade of strong growth for Ventoniemi. Riihimäen Liikenne Oy was brought under Ventoniemi ownership. Bus operations expanded from the first “milk line” to a fleet of 60 buses. Annual route mileage reached 3.3 million kilometers across Uusimaa and Häme. The number of chartered trips also increased significantly. The travel agency changed its name to Matkatoimisto Ventours Oy and operated in five locations: Hyvinkää, Riihimäki, Järvenpää, Mäntsälä, and Orimattila. Gravel was transported with company-owned trailer trucks from production sites in Hyvinkää, Hausjärvi, Loppi, and Nurmijärvi to areas in and around Hyvinkää and Greater Helsinki.

A family business through and through

In the 1990s, Ventoniemi remained a strong family business. The number of skilled employees rose to over 150. Finland’s accession to the European Union in 1995 brought significant changes to traditional bus operations. The industry opened to new entrepreneurs, traditional bus lines were subjected to competitive tendering, and operations increasingly relied on various purchase agreements.

The early part of the decade also saw an economic recession in Finland. The 1990s can be described as a true decade of transformation for the bus industry. Despite the challenges, the company adapted well, and in April 1998, Ventoniemi celebrated its 70th anniversary. That same year, the company introduced its first double-decker bus, the Neoplan Skyliner.

At the forefront of progress

In the 2000s, development work continued within the Ventoniemi companies. Quality and environmental management systems were established, and the company’s competitiveness remained high, even by measurable standards. Employee satisfaction also scored well in conducted surveys. The fleet continued to be renewed, and the average age of the buses was among the best in the industry in Finland.

The transition to the euro at the beginning of 2002 caused some nervousness, but the change went smoothly. Unfortunately, the early 21st century has been marked by terrorism, wars, and new epidemics that have impacted tourism — and consequently, our charter services as well. We hope for more peaceful times and a return to global economic growth.

The renovation and expansion of the Hyvinkää depot were completed at the end of 2002, and at the beginning of 2003, the office staff moved into new, bright, and practical premises. The 75th anniversary was observed in April quietly at work, with celebrations limited to staff.

The latter half of the 2000s was largely a period of steady operations. Thanks to a generational shift, the third generation has now taken its place in the company’s leadership. The fleet remains of high quality, and purchases have also been made from abroad — primarily lightly used, low-mileage tourist coaches from Europe. These are well-suited for company use, as annual mileage in charter traffic tends to be relatively low.

The company maintained a strong position in route and contracted services, although some unprofitable routes had to be discontinued. IT systems were systematically developed throughout the company.

Something new and something old for the 80th anniversary

Ventoniemi Oy’s 80th anniversary was celebrated in spring 2008 with customers, partners, friends, and of course, the entire staff. A brand-new 15-meter, 66-seat Scania OmniExpress was commissioned from Lahden Autokori as the official anniversary coach. Nearly 50 years old, the “Siipi-Wiima” was also fully restored to serve as a historical bus for the occasion. An 80th anniversary book, chronicling the history and present of Ventoniemi, was published to commemorate the milestone.

The journey continues

On December 3, 2009, a new Public Transport Act came into force in Finland. After a transitional period lasting until 2018, it aimed to completely reform the existing bus transport operating model. The extended transition period was intended to give companies time to adapt and prepare for an increasingly competitive and government-regulated system.

The 2010s were thus marked by preparation for these upcoming changes. Additionally, global political instability also had an impact — especially on international transport.

Ventoniemi made full use of the transition period provided by the new transport law. Throughout the 2010s, the company actively participated in competitive tenders organized by metropolitan area transport authorities and other public bodies. As a result, Ventoniemi was awarded responsibility for operating, for example, local public transport in the city of Riihimäki. Alongside these tenders, Ventoniemi has continuously monitored the evolution of general procurement models in the industry.

Investing in the fleet has also been seen as essential to ensuring top-quality service for customers into the future. At the same time, the total number of buses has been slightly streamlined and reviewed to ensure the vehicle selection matches customer needs in the best possible way.

In 2018, the new Act on Transport Services replaced the Public Transport Act introduced in 2008. Transition-period contracts began expiring across different transport regions in 2018–2019, after which a new service era began — powered by digitalization and new contract models.

Hauhon Liikenne strengthens operations

In March 2019, Ventoniemi acquired the full shareholding of Hauhon Liikenne Oy. This acquisition significantly strengthened Ventoniemi’s position in the charter transport market, increasing its capabilities in both the Kanta-Häme and Pirkanmaa regions. It also brought in additional expertise in organizing package tours. Following the change in ownership, Hauhon Liikenne continued operating as before, with its previous owner, Rami Nieminen, remaining in charge of the unit.

Despite industry changes, Ventoniemi continues to operate as a reliable and versatile passenger transport company.

In 2019, Ventoniemi also continued its investment in new vehicles. Early in the year, the company acquired a new large accessible bus, capable of accommodating up to eight wheelchairs at once, as well as a 20-seat minibus for charter use. In early spring, a fully equipped long-distance charter bus was added — a true giant in its class. Later that spring, the fleet was further supplemented with a VIP-level 32-seat charter coach.