About the Future

VR meets very tough competition not only from private cars and aeroplanes (Finnair), but also from private bus companies, which use trademark Expressbus. Buses running often parallel to railway lines have relatively good chances on short distances, because e.g. new motorways are build.

The decreasing of travel times and increase in train connections will strengthen the competitiveness of railway services comparative to other traffic form. Passenger numbers will rise mostly in high speed routes, but there is increase also on other parts of railway network. Kerava-Lahti cut off and the upgrade of Lahti-Luumäki will increase trip to the Eastern Finland and to the Russia.

In Finland it was made altogether 11,6 million long distance trips. For year it is forecasted 19,6 million long distance trips. Between Finland and Russia it was about 240 000 travellers on year 2000. When high speed trains will be in use, it is forecasted that number of trips will rise to 600 000... 800 000.

         CONNECTION AUTUMN       IN
                      2001       FUTURE
                     h.min       h.min
Helsinki-Turku        1.45  1.40 - 1.45
Turku-Tampere         1.53  1.30 - 1.40
Helsinki-Tampere      1.49  1.15 - 1.20
Helsinki-Seinäjoki    3.17  2.10 - 2.20
Helsinki-Oulu         6.19  4.20 - 4.40
Helsinki-Pori         3.22  2.20 - 2.30
Helsinki-Jyväskylä    3.42  2.30 - 2.40
Helsinki-Lahti        1.22  0.44 - 0.50
Helsinki-Kouvola      1.56  1.10 - 1.15
Helsinki-Mikkeli      3.25  2.05 - 2.10
Helsinki-Kuopio       5.15  3.05 - 3.10
Helsinki-Imatra       3.09  2.05 - 2.10
Helsinki-Joensuu      5.18  3.25 - 3.35
Helsinki-Pietari 5.15-5.45  3.00 - 3.20

Source: Rataverkko 2020 by RHK

Source: http://www.vr.fi/heo/pendo4e.htm

At the end of 80es VR made a Strategy 2012 program. In 2012 VR will be 150 years old. Strategy has following goals:

Major decreasing of travel times in long-distance travel
Expanding of commuter traffic in Helsinki area
Expanding and improving international travel

In order to achieve this goals network of railway lines needs to be improved, e.g.:

Increasing of rail standards
Expanding electrification of lines
Building of ATP (automatic train protection)

And in freight traffic:

Main mean of transport for industry
Building of integrated transport network
Expanding International traffic

And with investments to rolling stock, e.g.:

New HST units - S220 Finnish Pendolino
New commuter EMUs - Sm4
New electric locomotive - Sr2
Multipurpose freight wagons

In order to reduce journey times train speeds need to be increased. However, existing lines are build for speeds 120-140 km/h. Because of relatively modest train frequency, new lines are not profitable, as build in France and Germany. Only possibility is to obtain trains suitable for existing lines, eg. Sm3 - S220 Pendolino. Rail network development program includes:

Improving rail network superstructure
Straightening railway curves
Strengthening railway bridges
Omitting level crossings on main lines
Building new meeting points

Source: Journal Rautatietekniikka

See also

Speed targets in Southern Finland, from Uudenmaanliitto (in Finnish, doesn't work anymore)

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. Copyright Kimmo Kotimäki 2007. Copying is allowed only by written agreement with the author, except for private use. Created Mon, Oct 6 1997 Kimmo Kotimäki. Updated Wed, Mar 7 2007 Kimmo Kotimäki.