International media spotlight Finland Sweden rail link

International news outlets have highlighted the historic rail connection between Finland and Sweden, Yle reports. The new service from Oulu through Tornio to Haparanda in Sweden began operating on Monday, 40 years after trains last ran between the two countries.

The story has attracted coverage beyond Europe. Canada’s CTV News described the tense atmosphere as passengers boarded the train from Oulu to Sweden, while The Peninsula Qatar also reported on the reopening.

British outlets BBC and The Independent have focused on the different rail gauges used in Finland and Sweden. The BBC noted that Finland still uses the same gauge as Russia. Finland has discussed changing the gauge in the north to the narrower European standard used in Sweden.

The Bengaluru Metro website in India also covered the connection, noting that India has experience with changing rail gauges to improve train links.

The story has additionally appeared in Singapore’s English-language Straits Times, Myanmar’s international television network, Malaysia’s The Star and the Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Time Out, a city-focused media organisation operating in more than 60 countries, reported that the new service connects two northern cities. Travel and railway publications, including International Railway Journal, have also covered the route.

Several international websites have republished or cited Yle’s report, including Azerbaijan’s Report and the Ukrainian travel website Visit Ukraine.