The company is phasing out the stations. It aims to sell the properties to municipalities and cities first.
VR will be closing 25 of its passenger stations over the next few years, the company says. VR will negotiate the sale of the stations primarily with cities and municipalities.
The stations that may be sold in the near future are Akaa Toijala, Hyvinkää, Hämeenlinna, Joensuu, Järvenpää, Kajaani, Kerava, Kolari, Kotka, Kouvola, Kuopio, Kemijärvi, Lahti, Mikkeli, Oulainen, Parkano, Pieksämäki, Riihimäki, Siilinjärvi, Turku, Turku Kupittaa, Tuusula Jokela and Varkaus.
Helsinki and Tampere stations are not among the stations to be handed over in the next few years, as they have ongoing development projects.
The situation at the border stations is also examined separately. Border stations owned by VR are Kuhmo Vartius, Lappeenranta Vainikkala and Tohmajärvi Niirala.
According to the company, the role of stations has changed significantly in recent years, when ticket sales and travel-related information have moved to digital channels. At the same time, for example, the need for waiting rooms has decreased, VR says.
There are a total of 64 station buildings serving passenger traffic in Finland. In addition to VR, they are owned by, for example, the Väylävirasto, municipalities and private companies.
The City of Kajaani does not intend to buy the station building
Kajaani has already tried to reduce its older properties in particular, the implementation of which would require expensive renovations. According to Tolonen, there are no functions that could be concentrated in, for example, the station building now.
– Even though the station is a nice building, I can bet that it will require hundreds of thousands of euros if it is renovated, states Jari Tolonen.
VR has not been in contact with the city of Kajaani about possible deals for the station. According to Jari Tolonen, the matter has been discussed over the years, but the city has not been interested in buying it even then.
The Kajaani station building has been called one of the most beautiful buildings in Finland.
“The ownership should be considered more broadly”
– Ownership should be thought of more broadly than just through the ownership of cities. Could the waiting room be at, for example, the Finnish Railways Agency, which also owns the infrastructure of the stations?
Also, the city of Mikkeli does not have its own need for a station building, but it is seen as both urban image-wise and functionally important.