Urgent Action Needed for High-Speed Train Connection Between Stockholm and Oslo

The journey between Stockholm and Oslo currently takes five and a half hours by train, which, while an hour faster than driving, is significantly slower than flying. In the recent election campaign, Ulf Kristersson, the anticipated Prime Minister of Sweden, expressed his commitment to establishing a high-speed rail link between the two capitals, stating he aims to commence construction during the upcoming term, focusing initially on a double track between Karlstad and Kil.

However, there is skepticism regarding the feasibility of including all necessary upgrades in the national infrastructure plan that the government is set to finalize next spring. The proposed railway line, which is being championed by regional and municipal advocacy groups, faces significant hurdles.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Oslo-Sthlm 2.55 consortium and supported by the business community, hopes that the government will consider Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to fund the project. Building a railway that crosses national borders presents complex legal challenges. In late 2022, Sweden's Transport Administration and Norway's equivalent agency published a feasibility study for the Oslo-Arvika segment, highlighting substantial time savings but also high costs. They emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts between the authorities of both nations towards a shared goal.

In recent years, the geopolitical landscape has shifted, with heightened discussions around preparedness and NATO considerations influencing infrastructure projects. In December, the Swedish government tasked the Transport Administration with drafting a cooperation agreement with other Nordic countries for scenarios involving increased preparedness and wartime situations.

Eleven years prior, the Green Party proposed an investment to reduce train travel time to just under three hours, which could potentially eliminate air traffic for this route. Recently, the party has initiated a parliamentary motion aiming to secure a majority support in the Riksdag for a faster railway line linking Stockholm and Oslo. A similar proposal was introduced by their sister party, the Green Party in Norway, in the Storting last week. This initiative includes a call for a formal cooperation agreement between Sweden and Norway, along with the establishment of a Scandinavian railway council that would also involve Denmark.

The Green Party emphasizes the urgency of addressing the Stockholm-Oslo route, which they believe is crucial for all cities along the line. Party spokesperson Daniel Helldén noted that discussions with Norwegian counterparts have also brought up the significance of night trains to Malmö, which could yield significant synergies.

When asked whether the market could self-sustain such services without taxpayer funding, Helldén acknowledged that government financial support would be necessary to initiate night services. He pointed out that government officials, including Infrastructure Minister Andreas Carlson, frequently reference the need for improved connections with Norway due to security concerns. However, he expressed frustration over the lack of tangible progress, urging a shift from discussions to actionable steps.

In response, Minister Carlson contested the assertions made by the Green Party, stating that both the Swedish and Norwegian governments are collaborating more closely than ever on infrastructure issues due to the current security climate. He pointed out that the need for enhanced infrastructure and preparedness has never been more pressing. Carlson did not specifically address the Green Party's proposals regarding the Stockholm-Oslo route but mentioned ongoing projects such as the Malmbanan line from Luleå to Narvik. He also emphasized the joint efforts with other Nordic countries at the EU level to highlight the necessity for investments in Nordic infrastructure, which is seen as a concern not only for Sweden and its neighbors but also for the EU and NATO.