PHOTO: VR Acquires New Night Train Fleet from Škoda Transtech

VR is to purchase nine sleeper cars and eight carriages from Škoda Transtech Oy. The new equipment will be in service by the end of 2025. The value of the equipment is around EUR 50 million.

The new rolling stock will meet the growing demand for overnight train travel and passenger expectations. VR aims to further increase the popularity of night train services.

"Compared to 2018, the popularity of night train travel has increased by a gratifying 17%. With this new fleet, we want to meet our customers' wishes and improve the travel experience. For example, working and enjoying meals in your cabin will be even more comfortable in the future," says VR's Managing Director, Elisa Markula.

The new coaches will be available by the end of 2025. They will enter service on the night train routes from Helsinki, Turku and Tampere to Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi and Kolari, as part of the existing night train configurations. VR's current night train fleet consists of 80 sleeping cars and 33 carriages.

Škoda Transtech won the tender to supply VR with the new night train fleet. The sleeper and carriages will be manufactured at Škoda Transtech's plant in Otanmäki, Kajaani.

"Our night coaches are a good example of modern vehicle design that makes rail transport an attractive alternative. The deal will strengthen the order base of our Otanmäki plant and maintain the vitality and competitiveness of the region," says Juha Vierros, CEO of Škoda Transtech.

The acquisition also includes options to buy 30 sleeper cars and 30 additional carriages. These will make it possible to increase the number of night train services or routes in the future and to replace the blue sleeping cars, which will reach the end of their useful life in the early 2030s.

The night train service is part of a purchasing agreement between VR and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. VR will finance the purchase from its resources, and LVM will reimburse part of the purchase costs to VR as defined in the PPA.

Observation photos and videos of the new night coaches can be downloaded for editorial use from this link.

Source: VR Group