Swedish Government Initiates Review of Night Train Services Amid Rising Costs

The Swedish government has tasked the Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) with a comprehensive evaluation of the future of state-supported night train operations. This decision comes in response to significantly increasing costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the current night train fleet, as well as ongoing procurement challenges for new rolling stock.

Currently, Sweden's night train network includes routes such as Stockholm-Narvik, Stockholm-Duved, and Stockholm-Hamburg/Berlin, with the Stockholm-Malmö service operating commercially without state support. Recent years have seen the discontinuation of certain routes, such as the state-backed night trains between Gothenburg and Umeå, and Gothenburg and Duved, highlighting the need for a strategic review of long-distance overnight rail travel within the country.

The government's directive instructs Trafikverket to analyze multiple aspects of the night train system. This includes examining both current and future ownership structures for the train fleet, assessing financing models, and determining the overall demand for night train travel. The review aims to ensure that the state-supported network complements, rather than competes with, commercially operated night train services.

In the ongoing procurement process, Trafikverket has faced obstacles in acquiring 91 new sleeper carriages and locomotives, budgeted at SEK 5.5 billion. No bids have yet met the agency's requirements, with concerns raised over the dimensions of the proposed carriages, particularly regarding passenger comfort for taller individuals. There is also discussion around adopting a European carriage profile, which would facilitate potential resale to other countries if the demand for night trains decreases domestically.

The government has highlighted the need to balance cost efficiency with enhanced service resilience, particularly in light of shifting security considerations. This review is intended to strengthen the long-term sustainability and preparedness of Sweden's night train infrastructure, ensuring it can withstand future challenges and support national mobility needs.

Additionally, Trafikverket has been asked to consult with stakeholders in the tourism sector and consider their perspectives as part of the review process. The government emphasizes that any recommendations should not negatively impact the existing commercial night train market.

Ongoing agreements for state-supported night train services are set to expire in the near future. The contract for routes to northern Sweden runs through December of next year, while the agreement for Hamburg and Berlin services is scheduled to end earlier. Uncertainty remains regarding the future of state-subsidized routes after these contracts conclude, pending the results of Trafikverket's review.

Since the dissolution of the National Transport Administration in 2011, Trafikverket has overseen state contracts for interregional and international public transport that is deemed essential but not commercially viable, including night train operations. The agency owns and manages the majority of rolling stock used for these state-backed services, while private operators retain ownership for commercial routes.

The government's initiative is expected to deliver insights into the optimal structure for state involvement in night train services, with a focus on minimizing costs, maximizing efficiency, and safeguarding transport resilience. The review will also assess analytical methods for evaluating connectivity across the country and outline the benefits and drawbacks of various ownership and funding arrangements for the national night train fleet.