The trains will enter service by the end of 2025. The contract also includes an option to purchase an additional 30 sleeping coaches and 30 freight wagons for cars.
"The order from VR is important for us as it strengthens the order book of our Otanmäki factory. The comfortable sleeping car concept will give us a foothold in the European market, which is experiencing a new boom in night train traveling. It is easy and effortless to board the train in your hometown and wake up in the morning rested and refreshed at the final destination," describes Juha Vierros, President of Region North at Škoda Group
“The popularity of overnight train travel has grown significantly in recent years. With this new fleet, we want to meet our customers’ wishes and further improve the travel experience. For example, working and enjoying meals in your cabin will be more comfortable than ever before,” says Elisa Markula, CEO of VR.
According to Škoda Group, the individual cabins are designed to resemble hotel rooms so that passengers can both work comfortably and rest undisturbed during the journey. All cabins are equipped with toilets and some have their own shower. For families with children, there are special family cabins that can accommodate a baby cot. In addition to comfort, special attention has been paid to making the cabins soundproof so that passengers can enjoy the journey.
The sleeping coaches will be put into service on the current night routes, i.e., from Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere to Oulu, Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi, and Kolari. The sleeping coaches will be complemented by freight wagons for cars, allowing passengers to transport their vehicles at the same time.
The contract also includes an option to purchase an additional 30 sleeping coaches and 30 freight wagons for cars. The option will allow the frequency of services to be increased and routes to be extended in the future. In addition, the option will allow the replacement of old wagons as they reach the end of their service life.
