Sweden: investment in infrastructure not sufficient 08/01/25

Source: https://www.altinget.se/artikel/laat-det-inte-ta-90-aar-tills-taagen-kommer-i-tid

(automated translation from Swedish)

Don't let it take 90 years for the trains to arrive on time

The government's so-called historic investment in infrastructure is not sufficient to stop the increase in maintenance debt in the railway system, according to representatives of SJ, Green cargo, MTR and the Swedish Rail Companies.

This is an opinion article that reflects the writer's views.

No chain is stronger than its weakest link. Right now, the Swedish Transport Administration's organization and ability to increase maintenance of the railways is the most constrained sector. Then the government's money rains will play less of a role. In practice, it will take 90 years before the trains can arrive on time unless the government demands more efficient maintenance from its authority.

Decades of inadequate railway maintenance

Over the past thirty years, traffic on the Swedish railways has increased by 65 percent, without a corresponding increase in capacity. This has led to congestion on the tracks and a badly worn infrastructure after years of inadequate maintenance. The government and the Sweden Democrats have recently presented the infrastructure bill The Road to a Reliable Transport Infrastructure , which increases investments in transport infrastructure by over 20 percent. Although this is described as a historic investment, it is not sufficient to stop the increase in the maintenance debt in the railway system.

The bill extends until 2037, but only 10–15 percent of the outstanding maintenance will be able to be recovered during this period. To truly address the maintenance debt, higher ambition, updated working methods and modern, more efficient machines are required. Without such ambition, it could take up to 90 years to work down the maintenance debt, which means that citizens and businesses will have to live with poor punctuality and insufficient capacity for several decades.

Capacity shortages affect competitiveness

If maintenance is not improved, the consequences for business will be serious. One fifth of freight transport in Sweden is by rail, and for many industrial companies there are no alternatives. Disruptions and capacity shortages in rail transport negatively affect investment and expansion, which in turn affects Sweden's global competitiveness.

At the national level, 400,000 people employed in industry are affected by deficiencies in the railway system, according to the report Industrial brake or industrial lift ? Half a percent annual growth in industry's added value, compared to a half percent annual slowdown, means a difference of 320 billion kronor in added value by 2050, equivalent to three percent of Sweden's GDP.

"Long delays and cancelled trains create frustration and reduce trust in public transport."

For ordinary travellers, poor maintenance means continued poor punctuality and delays. This affects commuters who rely on rail to get to work and school. Long delays and cancellations create frustration and reduce trust in public transport. In addition, capacity shortages prevent increased traffic on high-demand parts of the rail network, limiting the opportunities for more people to choose the train as a sustainable transport option.

Sweden needs effective maintenance

It is crucial that the Swedish Transport Administration prioritizes a more efficient procurement organization and investments in maintenance capacity. It is therefore good that the government has tasked the Swedish Transport Administration with strengthening this capability. The agency has recently presented its proposed measures that promise improvements. For example, the replacement rate in the electric power system is to be increased five to ten times and the pace of renovation of switches is to be multiplied within a couple of years.

We welcome the direction and note that the government and the Swedish Transport Administration have laid a good foundation. At the same time, it is necessary that the increased maintenance capacity that the Swedish Transport Administration has presented is implemented in practice. The realization of the high ambitions will determine whether Sweden will have effective railway maintenance that leads to a better functioning railway system.