First Finnish train to Sweden in nearly 40 years crosses border

The first passenger train from Finland to Sweden in nearly 40 years departed from Oulu on Monday morning, Yle reported. The new service crosses the national border in Tornio and arrives in Haparanda at 6.45am Finnish time.

The rail link between Oulu and Haparanda has been long awaited. Earlier railbus services between Kemi, Tornio and Haparanda ended in 1988.

Among the passengers on the first train are Minister of Transport and Communications Lulu Ranne, the mayors of Oulu and Tornio, other city officials, and representatives of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and VR.

VR will operate two return services between Oulu and Haparanda each day. In addition to the early morning service, a second train will leave Oulu at 7.50pm and return late in the evening.

The return train from Haparanda will continue to Helsinki. From Haparanda, passengers can also connect to Norrtåg commuter trains to destinations including Boden and Luleå. Connections from Boden continue north and south through SJ, Sweden’s largest railway company.

Connections to improve in December

VR drew up the initial timetable based on the rolling stock available to it. Funding for the service was approved only at the end of last year, leaving no opportunity to add other departures with the current fleet.

VR said connections in Finland and Sweden were considered, but acknowledged that they would not be optimal this autumn. Swedish train timetables had already been prepared before it was known that trains from Finland would begin operating.

Juho Hannukainen, VR’s director of new services, said connections would improve in December, when the European Union moves to its 2027 timetable.