Criticism of train companies - difficult to keep distance

Several people have expressed frustration on SJ's Facebook page about the difficulty of keeping physical distance to their fellow passengers. 

"The trains are full and people are coughing and sneezing. Money controls health ", writes one person.

"It is deplorable that you do not take more responsibility for the health and well-being of your travelers," writes another.

In the same vein as the Public Health Agency announced that Swedes would be allowed to travel domestically during the summer, several Swedish train companies decided to cancel the previous booking routine, which meant that each passenger would have a vacant seat next to them.

Michaela Tjernberg booked her July trip from Åre to Alvesta on the premise that the seat next to it would be empty, but once she got on the train, the reality was different.

- They had changed the routines without informing the passengers, which is very strange. It was basically full in the whole carriage, she says.

There will be no more train journeys for Michaela Tjernberg this summer. If she needs to move, she prefers the flight or the car.

- My husband belongs to a risk group so I do not feel safe with the conditions on the trains, she says.

According to SJ's press spokesperson Simon Hermansson, the train company follows the authorities' recommendations and has plenty of empty seats on each train.

- We still block about 30 percent of the seats, which means that it is possible to sit alone. But of course there is nothing we can guarantee, he says.

Other measures taken to reduce the risk of infection spreading on board remain. For example, more frequent cleaning routines and more generous rebooking rules.

- If we help each other, it will continue to be safe to travel. If you have symptoms, you can always cancel your trip free of charge so as not to risk infecting others, says Hermansson.

The train company MTRX has also abolished the free vacant seat, and has instead put more trains into service and offers mouth guards and rebookable tickets.

- We have received a mixed response. There is an understanding that it is a special situation. Security is the most important thing, but we must be able to enable people to travel, says CEO Mats Johannesson.