Sweden has one of the the highest rates of passenger usage of rail in Europe. In fact, the modal split, at 9.1%, is more than that of both Germany and the UK. Its popularity is also increasing, with around 210 million passengers travelling each year in comparison with only 180 million five years ago. This is especially striking when considered alongside domestic air travel which has remained relatively static for the past three decades, at around seven million passengers a year.
Background
The rail market in Sweden was opened up to competition in 1998, when infrastructure and services were separated. However, the real opening up of the market took place between 2009 and 2011 when, first of all, weekend passenger rail services and then the whole market was liberalised and, finally, alternative commercial services began to operate.
However, poor access to rolling stock means that competitor services have been slow to emerge.
High-speed (up to 200 km/h) services operate on the major routes and there are long-term plans to build a new high-speed network between Malmö, Stockholm and Gothenburg which would increase rail speeds to 320 km/h. This development would reduce the journey time between Stockholm and Malmö from four hours at present to two and a half hours. However, the costs of the scheme have risen sharply and even if the go-ahead is given in 2018 as anticipated, trains would not be running until 2035.
State-owned SJ remains the biggest operator but companies such as MTR, Tågkompaniet, Snälltåget and Inlandsbanan operate regional rail services. Snälltåget, which operates services between Stockholm and Malmö, says that fares on the route have gone down by 50 SEK since they started offering competitive services to SJ on the route.
By Puggen - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Ten things that business travellers and buyers need to know
- There are typically three fare classes: (1) non-refundable, non-rebookable tickets; (2) rebookable tickets (based on the cheaper fare but with an add-on for being able to rebook); and (3) fully refundable, rebookable tickets.
- The fare system is fully demand managed, meaning that fares for popular off-peak trains gradually become more expensive as departure approaches. As always (both with flights and train) you will save more money the earlier you book.
- Prices for both rail and air vary greatly according not only to when you book but also what time of day you choose to travel.
- You will also pay a higher fare for a rail ticket which allows refunds for changes or cancellations.
- SJ offers a combination of closed and public fares. Closed fares include those offered to corporate, which can negotiate with the company to get, typically, a percentage discount on the public fare.
- The company also operates a successful loyalty programme called SJ Prio, which has three membership tiers and more than one million members. Points can be used towards tickets, on-board food and internet usage.
- On-board benefits on Swedish rail include WiFi as standard but it does not function all the time in remote areas. Food and hot meals are offered on longer routes. You can also choose seats in silent areas where mobile phones are not allowed.
- First class really does give better service. When I help companies to determine a travel policy I always try to convince my client that all business rail travel should be in first class.
- MTR competing with SJ on the Stockholm—Gothenburg route has resulted in lower prices for annual season tickets. MTR has lowered the prices for Stockholm—Gothenburg from 55,000 SEK to 44,000 SEK and even included taxi fares worth 4,000 SEK for season ticket holders. SJ does not have a special fare for Stockholm—Gothenburg but offers a monthly season ticket which corresponds to about 53,000 SEK per year.
- Rail travel between Malmö and Copenhagen is not working. SJ has temporarily stopped rail traffic between Copenhagen and Malmö because of the new rules requiring travelers between Sweden and Denmark having to show ID documents every day
Special challenges
A very special problem in Sweden is what we experience up in the north where it can be very cold. When it is lower than -25°C trains are often cancelled because the train might not be able to operate and if it stops far away from a city it might be dangerous for the travellers to stay too long on a cold train.