Interested in becoming a railway operator?

Follow these steps

• 1Step 1

  Obtain an operating licence

  All railway undertakings are required an operating licence. If you are operating passenger or goods transport on railway infrastructure in Finland as your main business, you are considered a railway undertaking and must apply for an operating licence from Traficom.

  Operating licences for railway undertakings (in Finnish)
• 2Step 2

  Obtain a safety certificate

  To operate railway traffic on Finnish railway infrastructure, all railway operators need a safety certificate. In this context, operating railway traffic refers to shunting and train operation. Railway operators include railway undertakings, railway maintenance companies operating traffic, shunting companies, museum train operators and infrastructure managers operating traffic.

  Safety certificates for railway operators (in Finnish)
• 3Step 3

  Start access contract negotiations to gain access to the state-owned railway network and rail capacity

  The rail network access contract is concluded with the Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency (FTIA).

  Read more about rail capacity (in Finnish)

  More information in the Network Statement (section 2.3 on rail network access contracts)
• 4Step 4

  Obtain authorisations for placing your vehicles in service

  Tutustu rautateillä liikkuvan kaluston käyttöönottolupaan

  If you intend to operate traffic with new vehicles, you will need an authorisation for placing the vehicles in service. Authorisation applications are submitted to Traficom.

• 5Step 5

  Remember that you are also responsible for the qualifications of your personnel!

  Read more about licences