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The promotion of low‐carbon transport systems is largely dependent on the interplay between technology, innovation, markets, people's behaviour and policy. Various policies jointly influence the development of transport systems, some policies implying different or even contradictory designs for future transport systems. Policy interplay has not been much addressed in previous research on sustainability transitions. This article combines the technological innovation system (TIS) functions, within the transitions framework, with policy analysis to empirically map multiple policies and their intended paths towards low‐carbon transport systems. Empirically, the article provides a systematic review of Finnish national‐level policies for transport and transport‐related innovation. The discussion examines the contribution of the current policy mix to sustainability transitions based on its degree of attempt to re‐design the transport system. The findings reveal that policy support is more comprehensive regarding more energy‐efficient vehicles and low‐carbon fuels than based on reduced transport demand or alternative transport modes. A holistic policy approach towards low‐carbon transitions is only achieved to a degree and innovation policy gaps are identified. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

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Please cite as: Upham, P., Kivimaa, P., Virkamäki, V. (2013) Path dependency in transportation system policy: a comparison of Finland and the UK, Journal of Transport Geography 32, 12-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2013. there is a need to better understand how policy for social innovation is entering the sphere of transport and related innovation policy and how these processes might be supported.