According to Helsinki Regional Transport (HSL), Ring Rail trains have been running late, especially in the evenings. Every day, 15 out of the approximately 200 train runs that connect Helsinki Central Railway Station with the suburbs and Helsinki Airport have been three or more minutes behind schedule.
While some delays are due to technical difficulties, HSL says drivers learning new routes has also contributed to the delays.
”The schedules are quite tight and sticking to them means that departing, accelerating and braking must all be spot-on. When train drivers are driving a new route for the first time, especially one with tunnels, it takes a bit of getting used to it," says HSL Project Manager Kimmo Sinisalo.
Sinisalo stresses that 92 percent of the new Ring Rail trains have been on time which compares well with the on-time statistics for regular VR train traffic, which is 95 percent. HSL says it will continue to monitor the situation.
