Finland allocates €1 million to revive passenger rail on easternmost line

The Finnish government has earmarked €1 million for upgrades to the Karjalan rata, the country’s easternmost railway, with plans to restore passenger service between Nurmes in North Karelia and Kontiomäki in Kainuu by the 2030s, Yle reports.

Funding approved in April’s budget session will first cover electrification between Vuokatti—a major tourism hub—and Kontiomäki, as well as planning for the Joensuu–Uimaharju section. Electrification would eliminate diesel dependence on the route, where current diesel railbuses face seasonal overcrowding.

Local officials emphasize the line’s potential for both freight and tourism. Nurmes mayor Pasi Parkkinen stated the city “does not want to remain the terminal” for passenger trains, calling for extended service northward to serve growing tourism demand. Vuokatti’s CEO Aija Laukkanen noted rising interest from Central European travelers seeking low-carbon rail alternatives, though the nearest station is now 35 km away in Kajaani.

Freight volumes on the line have surged in recent years, particularly for forestry shipments to northern ports. A regional alliance study highlights the Oulu–Kontiomäki–Joensuu corridor as critical for boosting capacity, with electrification and sidings enabling significant increases. The route also factors into Finland’s strategic transport resilience.