Finland’s Ministry of Transport and VR will start the negotiations for the new passenger rail services after 2020, as the currently contract for rail transport service operation and the decision on rail transport services under public service obligation will expire in December 2020.
Although the discussions are only just beginning, the next purchase service package will include at least the current supply of train services. The decisions will be made later this year.
The Ministry is spending EUR 30 million under the rail transport service contract with VR, consisting mainly of Southern Finland’s regional rail services on the Sm2 and Sm4 trains and rail bus services on quieter long-distance routes.
In addition, VR operates unprofitable traffic in accordance with the service obligation, including regular night-time traffic in Lapland. The acquisition of passenger rail services complements VR’s market-based supply, which accounts for the majority of rail transport.
The contract to be negotiated will simplify the contract arrangement and improve the quantity and quality of services.
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