The main line's catchment area generates the majority of Finland's GDP – a great need for investments in the main line
The main railway studio, organised today by the main railway group, focused on improving the efficiency of Finland's transport policy. At the current level, the financial investments made in Finland's transport infrastructure are not sufficient when compared to the importance of the accessibility of Finland as a whole to Finland's national economy. The main line's catchment area generates the majority of Finland's GDP, which is why investments in improving the transmission capacity of the main line are impressive investments. Regional Director Esa Halme, Senior Expert in Transport and Economic Development Policy Päivi Wood and Senior Advisor Juhani Tervala call for Finland to have the courage to prioritise. The main line is a key investment target. The MPs interviewed along the main railway presented arguments for promoting the planning and investment of the main railway and its connections. Many projects are already underway, but with a very small budget and a slow schedule. In his video address, Minister of Transport Timo Harakka highlighted the importance of the main line. At the same time, he appealed to Liikenne12, which is currently underway, and to the development efforts it will enable in the coming years. MEP Henna Virkkunen highlighted the rise of the status of the main line on European transport networks. The Northern Core Network Corridor will also receive better access to EU funding. The main railway group has proposed Tampere, Oulu and Seinäjoki as hubs for the European core network. The group has also proposed that the EU's recovery funding should include targets that promote the development and accessibility of infrastructure in Finland's sustainable growth programme. Investing in sustainable transport supports the pan-European and national objectives for green growth, sustainable infrastructure and strengthening digitalisation. The development measures allocated to Finland's main railway line and its connections support the functioning of European transport networks and improve Finland's access to European Union CEF transport funding. Main track studio link: https://youtu.be/KT2s5Q_chRg More information: Chair of the main railway group, Provincial Director Esa Halme, esa.halme@pirkanmaa.fi, +358 40 500 3531, Vice Chair of the main railway group, Planning Director Jussi Rämet, jussi.ramet@pohjois-pohjanmaa.fi, +358 40 586 3877, Secretary of the main railway group, Advocacy Manager Jouni Koskela, jouni.koskela@pirkanmaa.fi, +358 50 527 2129, Liaison Director Jouko Ylipaavalniemi, +358 50 3272837, jouko.ylipaavalniemi@hame.fi. Finland's main railway group is a wide-ranging group that promotes the development of the main railway and its connections, focusing on national influence and European TEN-T core network work. The group consists of 11 counties, the largest cities and representatives of business and industry. Experts from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency will be consulted.
