The new CEF funding period will play a key role in the development of the high-speed rail connection between Helsinki and Tampere
Ensuring the smooth running and reliability of Finland’s rail transport therefore requires the determined development of new rail connections, utilising European funding. New opportunities are now opening up in this regard, as the Tampere–Helsinki–Warsaw connection has been included on the CEF priority list. These changes, combined with increasing CEF funding, are paving the way for the implementation of a high-speed rail connection continuing northwards from the Airport Line towards Tampere.
The Main Line is a critical connection
Stretching from Helsinki via Tampere to Oulu and on to Tornio, the Main Line is the backbone of Finland’s rail network. The Main Line connects Finland’s two most significant economic and urban regions and runs directly through four of Finland’s six largest cities. A significant proportion of the country’s passenger and freight traffic travels via the Main Line, and its importance extends beyond the functioning of the transport system to the economic growth and competitiveness of the entire country.
Around half of Finland’s population lives within the Main Line’s catchment area, which is home to over half of the country’s jobs and accounts for around two-thirds of Finland’s gross domestic product. Around 75 per cent of Finland’s research and development activities are also located along the Main Line. Taking into account the regions that rely on the Main Line, its impact is even wider than this.
In addition to its national significance, the Main Line is one of the key routes – or core network corridors – of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). It forms a link from continental Europe, via Finland, to the Swedish rail network.
Capacity has become an issue
At the same time, the section of the Main Line between Helsinki and Tampere is Finland’s busiest and most strategically important single rail connection. In 2023, over 5.5 million long-distance journeys were made on this route, which is more than twice the passenger numbers on the next busiest routes not forming part of the Main Line. Its capacity has been stretched to the limit, which is why disruptions and capacity constraints have a widespread impact on the entire national transport system. Furthermore, a significant proportion of the growth in Finland’s rail traffic is concentrated on the Main Line.
Given its critical national role, improving the capacity and speed of the Helsinki–Tampere route is key to enhancing the smooth flow and efficiency of rail transport across the whole country. However, development opportunities on the existing railway corridor are limited in terms of both track capacity and journey times, and simply refurbishing the existing line is no longer sufficient. Longer-term solutions must also consider the development of entirely new route alignments for the connection, which would provide additional capacity and speed.
The CEF funding period opens up new opportunities
At the end of last year, a groundbreaking decision was taken in the EU regarding the future of rail transport in Finland. The Council of the European Union approved the inclusion of the Tampere–Helsinki link on the CEF funding priority list as part of a corridor extending from Tallinn through the Baltic States to Warsaw. This decision demonstrates that EU Member States have recognised this route as strategically significant and capable of delivering Europe-wide benefits. The inclusion of the route on the priority list indicates that rail investments on the route are eligible for support in EU funding competitions and is therefore an important step towards securing EU funding.
The next CEF funding period will begin in 2028, and the programme’s funding is expected to increase significantly from current levels. Funding may be granted for both project preparation and implementation, and at best, EU funding can cover up to half of the investment costs. However, this requires not only the outstanding success of first-class transport projects in competitive funding rounds, but also national co-financing and a strong commitment from the government to advancing the project.
The strategic importance of the main line, growing traffic volumes and the fact that the capacity of the section between Helsinki and Tampere has been stretched to its absolute limit all underscore the need for additional capacity. This need for development, combined with increasing CEF funding, provides a strong case for developing a new high-speed rail connection between Tampere and Helsinki.
A high-speed connection would strengthen Finland’s competitiveness
The development of a high-speed rail connection continuing northwards from the Airport Line would complement the Main Line and, at the same time, significantly improve the capacity, operational reliability and resilience of the entire Finnish rail network. At the same time, it would link the majority of Finland’s population, workplaces and business community more closely to Rail Baltica and the European rail network.
From a geopolitical perspective, the project’s significance extends beyond the transport system; it strengthens connections in Europe’s northern and Arctic regions, supports security of supply and military mobility, and enhances European safety in a changing operational environment.
The government must commit to the project’s preparation
During the forthcoming parliamentary term, the government must commit to promoting the Tampere–Helsinki–Warsaw rail connection and to drawing up eligible plans for a high-speed rail connection extending northwards from the Airport Line, as well as to formulating a unified national message to secure CEF funding for the project.
The Pirkanmaa Joint Advocacy Group comprises the City of Tampere, The Council of Tampere Region, the Tampere City Region, the Tampere Chamber of Commerce, Pirkanmaa Entrepreneurs, Business Tampere, The Tampere Higher Education Community and The Wellbeing Services County of Pirkanmaa. The purpose of Pirkanmaa’s joint government programme objectives is to highlight issues to be decided at national level that can ensure growth for the whole of Finland.
