No commuter train on Thursday, Friday as RAU goes on strike

All commuter train services will remain suspended on Thursday and Friday as the Railway Union Association (Rautatiealan Unioni Ry-RAU) has decided to go for a two-day strike, said the national railway operator and The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (Helsingin seudun liikenne – HSL) on Wednesday afternoon.

The VR train drivers will not come to work due to the strike and services will resume on Saturday, said HSL in a press release.

HSL will not arrange replacement services. The commuters are urged to find alternative routes using the ‘Journey Planner’ and ticking the train option in the planner’s settings.

Sensing a risk that buses become overcrowded, HSL asks people to avoid using public transport, if possible.

The strike will affect commuter train traffic in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Southern Finland, said the VR in a press release.

The strike, however, will not affect the long-distance trains and freight trains services, said VR.

The union called the strike protesting against breach of contract by VR and changes brought to work conditions agreed on.

VR in last spring won the competitive bidding for Helsinki's HSL commuter train service operation rights by submitting an under-priced bid, said the union.

Due to the strike, all commuter trains of HSL (A, E, I, K, L, P, U, Y) and VR (D, G, R, T, Z, M) will be cancelled from 18 to 19 March.

VR tickets purchased in advance for the duration of the demonstration can either be cancelled or exchanged for use at another time free of charge. For more information please call 0800-166-888 Mon to Sun of 5-22 March free of charge.

“We apologise to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the situation. We are sorry that the situation has reached this point,” said VR Group Vice President Timo Koskinen.