📋 Tender Overview
VR has won a tender for Malartag train traffic in Sweden in the Stockholm and Malaren regions. The company has rapidly expanded its operations in Sweden since 2022. Contract profits support VRs strategic goal of seeking profitable growth and experience in the competitive market. At the same time the company is preparing for the tightening competition for rail traffic in Finland.
In the competition the profit was determined by VRs competitive offer which focused on high quality and customer -oriented train traffic. The agreement on Malartags traffic will begin in December 2026 and will last eight years including the option of the option. The agreement covers the operation of train traffic including train staff traffic management and planning interference management and trains and depot maintenance.
Malartag operates on five lines in the Stockholm and Malaren regions and has over 15 million passengers each year. The equipment includes 62 trains. The traffic is commissioned by Malardalstrafik one of Swedens most significant regional train transport subscribers. The company is responsible for Malartags traffic in the countrys most populous area with more than 40 % of the Swedish population. Its network covers more than 1000 kilometers of rails and 44 stations.
- The Swedish market is an important place for growth and learning. We have actively participated in regional tendering and built profitable business. Malartags victory is a demonstration of confidence in our high quality and that VR is a strong player in Sweden says Elisa Markula CEO of VR.
Profitable growth in Sweden
VR expanded its operations to publicly funded purchasing traffic in Sweden in 2022 and already widely operated in Sweden: Stockholm southern Sweden and Gotanmaa region and in Central Sweden in the Bergslagen region. Towards the end of 2025 VR will start Norrtag traffic in northern Sweden and Oresundstag traffic in the cross-border Oruma area of Denmark and Swedish. At the end of 2025 VR will become Swedens second largest train operator after the state rail company SJ.
VR actively participates in public purchase tenders in both Finland and Sweden. In accordance with its strategy the company is seeking profitable growth and experience in Sweden as they prepare for a tightening rail traffic competition in Finland.
In May 2024 VR also expanded its operations to market-based long-term traffic by acquiring MTR Nordic long-distance traffic MTRX which operated on the Stockholm-Goteborg route under the name VR Snabbtag.
The decision regarding Malartags traffic will take effect at the end of the appeal period.
