en.Wedoany.com Reported - The passenger rail link between Finland and Sweden is expected to begin operations as early as the end of June, marking the first direct rail passenger connection between the two countries. According to the railway transport news portal Railway Supply, the line follows bilateral agreements and financing arrangements aimed at enhancing the convenience of cross-border rail travel within the Scandinavian region.

This rail link will establish direct passenger service between Tornio, Finland, and Haparanda, Sweden. Currently, travelers between these two towns still rely on road transport, despite existing railway lines on both sides, with buses or cars primarily used to complete the journey. The new route will replace road transfers with a connection via Haparanda station, streamlining the travel process.

The railway gap between Tornio and Haparanda stems from the different track gauge standards of the two countries. Finland uses the old Russian gauge of 1524 mm, while Sweden follows the European standard gauge of 1435 mm. This difference dates back to the 19th century when Finland was under the rule of the Russian Empire. To bridge the gauge mismatch, plans are in place to restore Haparanda's historic station, built in the early 20th century, which will serve as the interchange point between the two systems. Passengers will be able to disembark and transfer on foot, avoiding lengthy transfers.

Once operational, this Finland-Sweden passenger rail link is expected to become part of the longest continuous train journey within the EU, stretching from northern Finland to the Algarve in Portugal. The new link will also provide more flight-free travel options for the Scandinavian region. For example, cities like Rovaniemi and Oulu will gain direct rail access to Sweden, offering an alternative to the Helsinki-Stockholm ferry, with the train journey taking approximately 24 hours.

This Finland-Sweden passenger rail link also signifies the expansion of Finland's westward rail network connection to Europe. Cross-border rail services between Finland and Russia were suspended in 2022, and the new line will reshape Finland's transportation links with the rest of Europe.

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