Tuukka R4d ago

So, the coming timetables for the trains from Finland to Haaparanta in Sweden have been published now. On working days two trains per day and direction. On Saturdays ("la") three, on Sundays ("su") three as well. Ol=Oulu, Hpa=Haaparanta.

Leaving 5:08 in the morning from Oulu is humoristic! But expected, as VR wants to prove passengers don't want to use this connection.

In practical terms there's one usable train per week: On Saturday.
(All times are in EET)

@jon #CrossBorderRail

Show threadTor Lillqvist4d ago
@Tuuktuuk @jon I assume the train will stop in Kemi, though, over one hour later. Just in time for people arriving with night train 265 from Helsinki. Possibly also for people coming with IC 22 from Rovaniemi.
Show threadTor Lillqvist
@Tuuktuuk @jon What is somewhat silly, though, is the 06:20 (Swedish time) train from Haparanda. No train from Luleå has arrived that early. Or maybe they expect commuters from Tornio to Kemi or Oulu to use it, or people from Tornio continuing to central and southern Finland. I assume the train does stop at Tornio station? Which isn't very centrally located in Tornio, sure, but still.
Mar 26 at 10:21pmWeb
Show threadSami Koskinen3d ago

@tml @Tuuktuuk @jon Since funding comes from Tornio, and Oulu is the main city in the region - a lot larger than Luleå - and that people tend to travel shorter distances more often than longer distances, it makes total sense that Tornio-Oulu is the main connection.

Rolling stock availability is another possible reason for the timetable being as peculiar as it is. It's entirely possible that the funding wouldn't cover dedicating a train for this purpose, regardless whether VR was involved.