This is the first train to run under VR's brand following its acquisition of the long-distance operations of Swedish MTRX in May. The service is now fully integrated into VR's operations.
The acquisition was finalized at the end of May, with MTRX being absorbed into VR's long-distance transport division over the summer months. As of today, the trains will operate in VR's green livery, a visual shift from MTRX's red and black previous branding.
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VR is looking to expand its presence in Sweden, where it views the market for long-distance rail travel as having substantial potential. The similarities between the Swedish and Finnish rail environments, particularly in terms of weather, infrastructure, and passenger habits, are factors that VR is leveraging as it enters this competitive market.
Read also: Results of VR Group in the first half of 2024 in Finland and abroad
MTRX, now operating under the VR banner, has been serving the Stockholm-Gothenburg route since 2015. It has consistently been recognized for its customer service, having received high satisfaction ratings in Sweden over the past eight years. Punctuality has also been a strong point for the service, with a reported 71% punctuality rate in the first half of 2024, outperforming other high-speed services on the same route.
Sweden's market for long-distance rail transport is approximately twice the size of Finland's, which VR sees as an opportunity for growth. Since establishing its position in Sweden in 2022, VR has continued to expand its services, including a recent agreement to manage Norrtåg services in Sweden's northern regions starting in December 2025.
