Question for written answer E-000789/2026
to the Commission
Rule 144
Katri Kulmuni (Renew)

In Finland, the Public Service Obligations (PSO) Regulation (European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1370/2007) on the competitive tendering of passenger rail services has been the subject of public debate. In Northern Finland in particular there are concerns that competition rules could pose a threat to the region's direct rail connections. Passengers would have to change trains in Oulu or Kuopio, and journeys in the north would be on local trains, rather than well-equipped long-distance trains.

It is very important for the accessibility of Northern Finland, as well as for the development of the conditions for tourism in the region, that the existing rail connections between the south and the north are not weakened, but further developed. It is also environmentally friendly to favour rail transport.

When it is possible for trains in Central Europe to pass through several countries in a matter of hours, Finns would find it difficult to understand why it would not be possible to stay on the same train to travel north from Oulu and Kuopio, as they have done until now, and instead be forced to change trains as a result of competitive tendering.

In Finland, the current government has made it clear that public support will not be allocated to routes operating under market conditions where at least one operator can operate profitably.

With the above in mind:

Under the PSO Regulation, is it the case that market-based transport services that are subject to competitive tendering cannot be operated using the same rolling stock as subsidised services, and if so, is the Commission planning to amend the legislation in this regard, or is this something the Member States decide upon internally?

Submitted: 25.2.2026