High level of punctuality

By international standards, passenger and freight services in Finland are highly punctual. 90.6% of long-distance trains arrived at their destination within 5 minutes of the scheduled arrival time in 2008. The target is 90.0%.

The punctuality rate in commuter services was 95.9%, compared to a target of 97.5%. Rail punctuality in commuter services is defined as arriving within 3 minutes of the scheduled arrival time. The punctuality rate for freight services was 87.4%.

The service level of the rail network and the punctuality of rail services were impaired by matters such as damage to electrified track, weather conditions and faults in rolling stock.

Punctuality is monitored continuously

Every day VR monitors the punctuality of each train to the minute. Quality teams, which convene monthly, analyze the punctuality figures and suggest improvements.

When providing services on a rail network that consists mainly of single lines, fitting rail services in with track work is challenging, since there is much traffic. VR operates 890 commuter services and 310 long-distance trains daily, as well as 500 freight trains.