News and press releases

About 1.25 million journeys were made in VR's long-distance traffic in March – customer satisfaction is increasing

About 1.25 million journeys were made in long-distance traffic in March, showing a year-on-year increase of 19%. Growth was driven especially by Easter, which fell at the end of March.

17. April 2024 Press releases

VR FleetCare secures maintenance contract with Danish train operator

VR FleetCare has entered into a large maintenance agreement for components with the Danish train operator Nordjyske Jernbaner A/S. The contract covers maintenance of bogies and pneumatic components of the Alstom Coradia LINT series trains during the years 2024–2029.

15. April 2024 Press releases

VR and SSAB are electrifying heavy industry transports – the first electric trucks to be introduced in traffic this year

The steel company SSAB Europe and VR's logistics unit VR Transpoint have launched a joint project to electrify heavy industry transport. VR is investing in low-emission road transport by acquiring all-electric trucks that will be used in the transports of SSAB Europe. In terms of total mass, the trucks to be procured will be some of the largest to operate electronically in regular customer deliveries in Finland. SSAB Europe, in turn, is investing in charging stations for heavy vehicles.

21. February 2024 Press releases

VR expands in Sweden – acquires long-distance traffic operator MTR Express (Sweden) AB

VR-Group Plc is acquiring the long-distance traffic business of MTR Nordic AB's Swedish subsidiary MTR Express (Sweden) AB (MTRX). VR has been operating in Sweden since 2022. With this acquisition, the company's operations will expand in the Swedish passenger transport market from regional contracted services to long-distance traffic. The transaction requires approval from the Swedish competition authority, which is expected by the end of May.

8. February 2024 Press releases

In 2023, the VR long-distance traffic included over 15 million journeys – the number has grown by 14 per cent from 2022

In 2023, VR’s long-distance traffic included over 15 million journeys, which is an all-time record. The 14 per cent increase from the previous year was due to the increased popularity of business and work travel mainly on weekdays, as well as free-time travel.

16. January 2024 Press releases

Allegro trains to be deployed in VR's domestic long-distance traffic from 2025

The trains known as Allegro, or Sm6 units, have been owned by a joint venture between VR and Russian Railways. The Russian owner has repeatedly neglected its financial obligations towards the joint venture. VR has redeemed the joint venture's loans and through the right of pledge taken possession of the trains today, December 14th. The trains are expected to be put into service in domestic long-distance traffic in Finland around the year 2025.

14. December 2023 Press releases

About 1.3 million journeys were made in VR’s long-distance traffic in November – an increase of 8% compared to last year

In November, about 1.3 million journeys were made in long-distance traffic, an 8% increase from the previous year that was mainly due to the growth of travel on weekends. This year, 13.9 million long-distance journeys were made in January–November, which is already more than in 2022, when a total of 13.2 million journeys were made. About 2.1 million tonnes of goods were transported by rail in November, and a total of 21.2 million tonnes were transported by rail in January–November. In November, the volume of freight traffic decreased by 18% from the previous year due to the downturn in the industrial sector and the end of traffic across Finland’s eastern border.

7. December 2023 Press releases

VR seeks growth in logistics services from new industries and green transition

Rail transport produces less emissions and consumes less energy than other modes of transport. Therefore, it plays an essential role in reducing transport emissions. VR's logistics business, VR Transpoint, actively invests in three key growth areas that support the green transition: industrial investments, green transition investments and combined transport.

22. November 2023 Press releases

About 1.4 million journeys were made in VR’s long-distance traffic in October – an increase of 8% compared to last year

In October, about 1.4 million journeys were made in long-distance traffic, an 8% increase from the previous year that was mainly due to the growth of travel on weekends. In total, 12.6 million long-distance journeys were made in January–October this year. About 1.9 million tonnes of goods were transported by rail in October, and a total of 19.1 million tonnes were transported by rail in January–October. The volume of freight traffic decreased by 23% from the previous year due to the downturn in the industrial sector and the end of Eastern traffic.

6. November 2023 Press releases