Our stakeholders
The main topics of our meetings with stakeholders in 2024 included the objectives of the Government Programme, rail-infrastructure projects, developing passenger train traffic, promoting competition in the railway market, developing contract traffic in the railway sector and improving network connectivity on trains.
In addition, we want to improve the connectivity of Finland, the security of supply, the passenger experience, implementation of traffic emission reductions and the competitiveness of the business sector.
Advocating for sustainable change is an important component of the corporate social responsibility of a state-owned company. In addition to engaging in active social dialogue, we also provide expert insights for stakeholders and decision makers.
Our important stakeholders include customers, personnel, personnel organisations, the state as an owner, official authorities, the Supervisory Board, political decision-makers, municipalities and cities, interest groups, business partners, the media and non-governmental organisations in Finland and Sweden.
Transparency of advocating activities
The Finnish Transparency Register, to which organisations and enterprises report information on any of their advocating activities aimed at Finland’s Parliament and government ministries, was introduced on 1 January 2024.
At VR, we are committed to transparency in our stakeholder cooperation and have reported to the Finnish Transparency Register meetings/contacts targeted at ministers, ministers’ special advisers and state secretaries, ministry officials, Members of Parliament and their assistants, personnel of parliamentary groups and officials of the Parliamentary Office.
Customers and business partners
Our business stakeholders are customers and business partners in Finland and abroad.
Our business units VR Long-distance Traffic, VR City Traffic and VR Logistics, as well as VR FleetCare, a subsidiary of the VR Group, are constantly developing their services by listening to and cooperating with their customers. We implement our services together with our business partners.
Political decision-makers and authorities
Our public stakeholders include the state as an owner, national and international decision-makers, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and various authorities, such as the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.
Cities and regions
We engage in active and regular dialogue with municipalities, cities and regional councils to develop market-based train traffic and regional contract traffic.
Organisations
We work closely with our personnel organisations. Our personnel are involved in the collective agreement activities of the Finnish Railway Union, Raideammattilaisten yhteisjärjestö JHL (Railway section of the trade union JHL), VR Akava, Rautatiealan Teknisten ja Toimihenkilöiden Liitto RTTL (Union of Railway Technical and Salaried Personnel), the Union of Private Sector Professionals ERTO, the Finnish Transport Workers’ Union AKT, and the Service Union United PAM. The personnel organisations are also represented in our Supervisory Board.
We also want to maintain ongoing dialogue and regular meetings with NGOs. Among others, we cooperate with the Finnish Cyclists' Federation to bring together train travel and cycling, and promote sustainable tourism with the Protect Our Winters Finland (POW) organisation.
Memberships
We are a member of Service Sector Employers Palta, which is a member association of the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK). We are also a member of the rail industry advisory board under Palta. We are a member of the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and, through it, we are also involved in the activities of the Finland Chamber of Commerce.
We are part of the Finnish Business & Society (FIBS) network for responsible business. We are a member of the Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC), which brings together exemplary companies that are committed to mitigating climate change. In addition, we have joined the UN Global Compact Network, promoting sustainable business in accordance with UN principles.
Pohjolan Liikenne is a member of Linja-autoliitto (the Finnish Bus and Coach Association) and VR Logistics is a member of Logistiikkayritysten Liitto (LOGY ry) (the Finnish Logistics Business Association). Avecra, a subsidiary of VR, is a member of the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa.
International cooperation
The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is one of the most important international organisations in the railway sector. The CER is responsible for promoting the interests of the railway sector in the EU, and we are a member of CER.