Competitive tendering phases and experiences in Sweden and Norway TRAFICOM/97525/02.03.01/2025

Competitive tendering phases and experiences in Sweden and Norway TRAFICOM/97525/02.03.01/2025 In Finland the passenger rail market is planned to open for 2030s in order to increase competition. One part of market opening is competitive tendering of PSO traffic. The aim of the study is to clarify and analyze recent years tendering and contract arrangements for passenger rail services in Sweden and Norway. The aim is to find the best experience-based practices and solutions for competitive tendering of passenger rail services in Finland. The study helps the Client to develop their expertise in tendering for passenger rail services. Study provides the starting points for further planning and implementation of tendering and contract arrangements. Preparation of the actual procurement or contract documents is not included in the assignment. Currently on the national level, the state incumbent operator VR is responsible for passenger rail services via PSO-contract with the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Current PSO-contract includes commuter train services outside the Helsinki Region Transport (HRT) area, night train services and railbus service on non-electrified railway sections. Current PSO traffic includes also some Intercity and Pendolino train services. The current direct procurement agreement ends in 2030. Incumbent operator VR is responsible for the operations as a whole, bearing risks such as box office, cost level, fleet and personnel. The Government Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has specified that the Government will increase effective competition in the rail market and facilitate access to the market. The Government will create a long-term outlook for increasing domestic rail transport capacity and investment. In connection with the implementation of the Government Programme, Traficom is building a knowledge base of rail market and passenger rail services. More background information on the progress of the project and a Traficom report on the passenger rail market and services of the 2030s, completed in January 2025, can be found at the link below. https://www.hsl.fi/en/hsl/competitive-tendering-of-passenger-rail-transport-in-finland,