Our stakeholders

Regular cooperation with various stakeholders is important for the growth of the rail transport market and for making the movement of people and goods more sustainable. Through cooperation, we are able to meet the expectations placed on us and, on the other hand, improve our operating conditions.

Systematic cooperation and dialogue ensure the growth of the rail transport market, which requires properly targeted infrastructure investments that are based on customer needs. The development of a sustainable rail transport system supports society’s goals of zero emissions, accessibility and security of supply.

Our stakeholders can be divided into actors related to the business and public entities as well as organisations and other actors interested in the Group.

Customers and business partners

The company’s business-related stakeholders are customers and business partners, such as subcontractors in Finland and abroad.

Our business units continuously develop their services by listening to their customers and working together with them. Examples of this include the development of VR’s digital channels and train services in Finland as well as the development of VR Transpoint’s logistics solutions for industry.

We implement our services together with our business partners. For example, VR Transpoint’s domestic road traffic is mainly operated by subcontractors, i.e. contract operators.

Public stakeholders

Our public stakeholders include the state as an owner, national and international decision-makers, the Ministry of Transport and Communications, and various authorities, of which the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom are key to the Group’s operations. Cities and regions, with which VR engages in active dialogue, are also important stakeholders.

The entire railway sector, and, consequently, a significant part of the company’s operations, is strictly regulated both in the European Union and at national level. Regulation is dynamic and constantly causes changes to our operating environment.

Organisations

We work closely with personnel organisations. Our personnel is 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.

Our goal is to also maintain a continuous dialogue and regular meetings with non-governmental organisations. For example, we have worked with NGOs to develop train services for disabled persons in terms of both rolling stock and services.

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 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). The coalition brings together exemplary companies that are committed to mitigating climate change. For example, we are a leader in the large-scale use of renewable energy in rail traffic. In addition, we have joined the UN Global Compact network, which promotes sustainable business in accordance with UN principles.

Pohjolan Liikenne is a member of Linja-autoliitto (the Finnish Bus and Coach Association) and VR Transpoint is a member of Logistiikkayritysten Liitto (LOGY ry) (the Finnish Logistics Business Association). Avecra is a member of the Finnish Hospitality Association MaRa.

International cooperation

The most important international organisations in the railway sector are the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the International Rail Transport Committee (CIT).

The CER is responsible for promoting the interests of the railway sector in the EU. The UIC, on the other hand, acts as a worldwide association for the industry and, at the European level, as a platform for cooperation in research and technical development. The CIT agrees on the practical implementation of the COTIF in international rail transport. The COTIF is a convention that governs international rail transport.