Lähtöasemat

Lähtöasemat (plural) refer to the stations from which a transport service begins its journey. In railway and other public transport planning, the lähtöasema is the origin point for a given train or service within a timetable block. The concept helps determine where a service starts its duty, which rolling stock and crew are assigned, and how the timetable is constructed.

Lähtöasemat are used to define service patterns and to distinguish between the various parts of a timetable. An individual service may have a fixed lähtöasema for a day, or it may originate from different stations on different days or during different service variants, depending on operational constraints such as crew bases, maintenance, or track availability. Stations along the route that the train passes but does not originate from are typically listed as intermediate or en route stops; the end destination is a separate concept (the loppu- or päätepiste).

Operational considerations often determine the choice of lähtöasema. Factors include where crews are based, where rolling stock is stationed, and how lines and depots are scheduled. In some networks, long-distance or regional trains originate from central hubs, while in others the service may start from a suburb or secondary station.

In practice, timetables and journey planners associate each service with its lähtöasema and departure time, enabling travelers to search for trains from a chosen origin. See also related terms such as päätepiste (terminus), reitti (route), and aikataulu (timetable).