The future of rail transport

In the 2030s, Finland's rail market will be developed as a whole consisting of market-based traffic that is based on customer orientation and the needs of consumers and businesses and complementary publicly funded regional passenger rail transport. The aim is a customer-oriented market in which services increase in both market-based rail transport and contract traffic. VR will continue to focus on its core business as a passenger rail transport and rail logistics company. 

VR invests significantly in its rolling stock 

VR has made significant investments in new rolling stock and the modernisation of its current rolling stock. As part of its current investment programme, which is worth about EUR 1 billion, VR will acquire, for example, Sr3 electric locomotives and Dr19 diesel locomotives. In the 2030s, VR will need to replace some of its freight wagons. Significant investments in rolling stock and maintenance will ensure the continuity of Finnish rail transport and improve Finland's logistical security of supply for the coming decades. 

Digirail 

Finland is implementing the Digirail project, worth more than EUR 1 billion, that aims to modernise the train control system and safety equipment of railways in Finland by moving to a European train control system by 2040. The project covers the modernisation of the entire control and safety system, that is to say, the automatic train control, interlocking equipment, control equipment and the radio network by the 2040s. 

The modernisation of the train control system requires significant investments from the state and the owners of rolling stock. The state has reserved more than EUR 1 billion for the Digirail project, and VR will have to make an investment of about EUR 200 million in train control equipment.