News and press releases

VR Group publishes Green Finance Framework

VR-Group Plc (VR Group) has established a Green Finance Framework to further integrate its sustainability ambitions into its financing. 

16. May 2022 Press releases

VR Group's business review for January–March 2022 – a difficult start to the year burdened profit, a turn for the better has taken place

Early in the year, VR Group’s business operations were overshadowed by the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, affecting train travel. In addition, VR Transpoint’s transport volumes decreased as a result of domestic industrial action and a decrease in Eastern traffic. The Group’s result fell to a weak level. However, a turn for the better took place towards the end of the quarter when the volumes of VR Passenger Services increased significantly, driven by leisure travel.

2. May 2022 Press releases

VR Group's business review for January–December 2021 – Rail travel was focused on leisure travel, freight traffic volumes at a good level

VR Group's net sales developed positively during 2021, but the operating profit was still negative. The was in large part due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions, which had a large impact on travel demand. VR Transpoint’s transport volumes continued to increase.

18. March 2022 Press releases

VR FleetCare to sign a 20-year maintenance agreement for Allegro trains operating between Russia and Finland

Russian Railways (RZD), Karelian Trains and the Finnish rail traffic maintenance company VR FleetCare have signed a 20-year agreement on the maintenance and lifecycle services concerning the high-speed trains operating between Helsinki and St. Petersburg starting from 2022. The rolling stock consists of a total of four electric trains with seven wagons manufactured by Alstom. With this agreement, the Allegro trains will continue to be maintained at the Helsinki depot in Finland.

10. December 2021 Press releases News and current issues

VR FleetCare chosen to maintain VR Group’s newest diesel locomotive

VR FleetCare, a Finnish rolling stock maintenance company, has signed an agreement with VR Group on the maintenance of the new Stadler diesel locomotive’s stock. The agreement period is 10 years, and the agreement enters into force in 2023 when the locomotives enter into commercial traffic.  The locomotives represent the latest diesel locomotive technology and are significantly more environmentally friendly than older diesel locomotives. The agreement covers the 60 ordered locomotives and the maintenance of possible option locomotives between 2023 and 2033. With the decision, VR Group's tractive stock will be fully maintained by VR FleetCare.

2. December 2021 Press releases

Automated detection of train malfunctions with Train Scanner

Currently, a large part of rolling stock maintenance is manual inspection performed by human eyes. The objective has therefore been to proceed towards automated and systematic processes. In June, the rolling stock maintenance company VR FleetCare will deploy Train Scanner, a device designed to automatically inspect the external condition of trains and use the device for the maintenance of Helsinki Region Transport’s rolling stock. The objective is to be able to reliably identify any malfunctions and stains on the exterior of trains.

20. May 2021 Press releases