The popularity of night train travel has increased by 17 per cent, compared to 2018! With these new coaches, we want to meet the wishes of our customers and further develop the travel experience. In the future, working and having meals in your own cabin will be more comfortable, says Elisa Markula, CEO of VR.
The coaches will be in use by the end of 2025. They will be operated on overnight train lines, i.e. From Helsinki, Turku and Tampere, to Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kemij rvi and Kolari, as part of the existing night train formations. VR's current night train fleet consists of 80 sleeper coaches and 33 car-carrier coaches.
Koda Transtech won the tender for VR's new night train wagons. The sleeper coaches and car-carrier coaches will be produced at the factory of Koda Transtech in Otanm Ki, Kajaani.
Our night train coaches are a good example of modern rolling stock design, helping to develop rail traffic as an attractive alternative. Juha Vierros, CEO of koda Transtech, said this deal will strengthen the order book of our Otanm ki factory and maintain the region's vitality and competitiveness.
The procurement also includes the option to purchase additional 30 sleeper coaches and 30 car-carrier coaches. These would make it possible to increase night train services or routes in the future and replace old blue sleeper coaches which will reach the end of their useful lives in the early 2030s.
Night train traffic is part of the contract traffic between VR and the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The Ministry of Transport and Communications compensates VR for part of the procurement costs, as defined in the contract traffic agreement, and the contract traffic agreement provides funding for the procurement with its own funds.