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

Preliminary the study explores seven case examples. The Study should include completed (or planned) tendering process of the case examples with its various stages. The documentation related to the process, and the contractual relationships should also be presented and clarified. The Study should involve interviews with the competent contracting authorities (PTA) and the railway companies (PTO) and other key stakeholders and contracting parties involved in the tendering processes, for example rolling stock and depot companies and ticketing and payment system & customer service supplier. Based on the analysis and conclusions of the case examples, the Supplier presents the most suitable and logically justified solutions for Finland. These include the main contractual details for the provision of passenger rail services. The review will be presented on a service-by-service basis (regional train services, night trains, long-distance services and rail buses). The description of the content of the study should be included in the Suppliers plan for the study. List of preliminary reference questions for the study are presented in the section 8 in Appendix 1 Competitive tendering phases and experiences in Sweden and Norway. This study will be steered by the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. In addition, representation from other parties deemed necessary may be included in the steering group. The steering group meets approximately monthly. The Supplier acts as secretary at the steering group meetings and draws up the minutes of the meetings for the Client. The meetings of the steering group and all the other project meetings between the Client and the Supplier are arranged as remote meetings (Teams). The working and documentation language of the study is English. The more detailed procedures for the progress and reporting of the work will be agreed in the beginning of the study. More information about the study in Appendix 1 Competitive tendering phases and experiences in Sweden and Norway.