Government proposal to amend Rail Transport Act and Act on Transport Services submitted to Parliament

On 12 June 2025, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament to amend the Rail Transport Act and the Act on Transport Services. The amendments would enhance the safety and security of urban rail transport. They would provide more time to procure rolling stock that meets the EU requirements for the use of the forest and chemicals industries.

The Government proposes to amend the Rail Transport Act so that the rolling stock used in eastern international services (so-called OSJD/GOST stock) could continue to be used for two years until the end of 2028. The amendment would give an extension of time for procuring rolling stock that is in line with the EU requirements and could be used in the forest and chemicals industries.

In June 2022, a legislative amendment entered into force that authorised the use of OSJD/GOST rolling stock, which deviates from the EU requirements, in transport of timber and chemicals within Finland until the end of 2026. The temporary derogation was necessary after the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to ensure rail transports of timber and chemicals in Finland to meet the needs of industry.

In EU law, Finland has been granted a derogation to use OSJD/GOST rolling stock in international rail transport. The procurement of rolling stock that meets the EU requirements for transporting timber and chemicals takes longer than expected, which is why the Government has decided to extend the derogation period from 2026 until the end of 2028. The European Commission has also been informed of this two-year extension. 

Changes to regulation on urban rail transport to improve safety and security

The same government proposal would also develop the regulation concerning urban rail transport, i.e. metros and trams. The proposed amendments aim to reduce the number of head-on collisions between tram traffic and other road traffic, particularly in the introductory stage of new rail network sections. This would make urban rail transport an even safer mode of transport. 

In future, plans concerning the urban rail transport network and the related impact assessments would have to be submitted to the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom as early as possible. The aim is to take safety and security perspectives into account in project planning as well as possible from the very beginning.

In addition, the Government proposal specifies the provisions on the validity and cancellation of licences of railway undertakings. It also contains provisions on other technical amendments to the regulation. 

What’s next?

First, a referral debate will be held on the proposal in Parliament’s plenary session. After that the proposal will be taken to a committee reading. Once the Committee report on the matter is completed, the debate will continue in the plenary session. Parliamentary proceedings will probably start in autumn term 2025.

The Act is expected to enter into force on 1 April 2026. However, provisions on the use of rolling stock in eastern international services would enter into force on 1 January 2027 and remain in force until the end of 2028.

Inquiries:

Risto Saari, Senior Ministerial Adviser, risto.saari(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 29 534 2311