Opening passenger rail transport to competition in Finland. Proposal for a tendering model for Southern Finland regional rail services

On 10 April 2017, the Finnish Government decided to open passenger rail transport to competition. According to this decision, rail transport will be opened to competition in stages, relying on a concession contract model. In the first stage, Southern Finland regional rail services will be opened to competition The Government also decided to carry out a reorganisation in which a rolling stock company, a maintenance company and a real estate company will be separated from VR Group to ensure a level playing field in rail transport. This report begins with a concise description of the measures adopted by the Government to open passenger rail transport to competition. It then discusses the state of play of passenger rail services, legislation in this sector, as well as the responsibilities and tasks of the authorities in rail transport. The following section provides a description of the Southern Finland regional rail service package that will be put out to tender. Section 11 of the report discusses a proposed model and timeline for organising the tendering process for Southern Finland regional rail services. The proposal for the content of the Southern Finland regional rail service package that will be put out to tender was presented at an information event on 4 October 2017 for interested operators and other stakeholders. Operators and other stakeholders are invited to comment on the proposal. Comments will also be requested from municipalities in the region and other stakeholders