The Finnish rail operator Reissujuna and the German start-up Luna Rail have entered into a strategic partnership to launch a new generation of night trains in Finland, with the first services set to run on the Helsinki–Lapland route, one of Europe’s most dynamic tourist destinations.
The project aims to meet the growing demand for sustainable rail travel to northern Finland, where existing night trains are booked up months in advance during the winter season.
As part of the partnership, Reissujuna, a company developed by Suomen Elämysjunat, has already acquired a fleet of second-hand railcars, including sleeping railcars and railcars with seated accommodation, which will be modernised for the new services. Luna Rail will provide the interior design, cabin technology and the expertise required to transform them into premium trains suitable for both day and night services.
“Lapland is one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourist destinations and, at the same time, one of the clearest examples where demand for night trains exceeds supply. This makes Finland the ideal environment for introducing a new generation of night-time rail travel,” said Robert Ramstedt, founder and CEO of Reissujuna.
A flexible concept for day and night
Luna Rail is developing a new night train concept, based on individual cabins that offer greater privacy and comfort without compromising on passenger capacity or operational efficiency. A key element of the project is the flexibility of the rolling stock: the same railcars will be able to be used as premium InterCity trains during the day, and in the evening they will be converted into night trains. This allows the operator to utilise its rolling stock more efficiently and reduce operating costs.
“Luna Rail aims to support the revival of night trains in Europe through a concept that enhances both passenger appeal and economic performance for operators. The partnership with Reissujuna represents the first commercial implementation of this concept,” said Anton Dubrau, founder and CEO of Luna Rail.
The first services are planned between Helsinki and Lapland, a route where the journey time allows passengers to spend the night on the train, eliminating the need for an overnight stay whilst also reducing the environmental impact of tourist travel.
In the long term, the two companies aim to integrate Finland and the Nordic region into the expanding European network of night trains.
At the same time, Reissujuna is seeking strategic and financial investors to develop the project, believing that the growth of tourism in Lapland, the increasing interest in sustainable transport and the revival of night trains in Europe are creating favourable conditions for long-term investment in this segment of the rail market.
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