VR operates ever highest 1.4m long-distance trips in July

National railway operator VR operated 1,427,000 domestic long-distance trips in July, which is 46% more than in July 2021, and 17% more than in 2019, said VR in a press release on Wednesday.

VR Transpoint's railway transport volumes were 22% lower in July than a year ago, with about 2.5 million tonnes of goods transported by rail.

In total, 7.07 million domestic long-distance trips were made and 17.4 million tonnes of goods were transported by rail in January to July this year.

Travel volumes increased on all routes in July, with the highest growth compared to June taking place between Helsinki and Seinäjoki (+66%), Helsinki and Joensuu (+57%), Helsinki and Tampere and Helsinki and Vaasa (+53%).

"In July, we made history and an all-time record, as we transported more passengers on long-distance trains than ever before in a month! It is amazing that travellers have chosen the carbon neutral train when travelling to their summer holiday destinations,” said Topi Simola, Acting President and CEO of VR Group.

In VR Transpoint's railway transport, transport volumes decreased by 22 per cent year-on-year to 2.5 (3.2) million tonnes in July.

In July, the volume of domestic rail transport increased by 4% and international transport decreased by 64% year-on-year. In January–July this year, 17.4 (21.7) million tonnes of goods were transported by rail, which is about 20% less than in the previous year.

The decline in Eastern freight traffic has progressed as estimated, and and traffic will be gradually phased out by the end of the year.