At the beginning of the pandemic, SJ chose to sell only half of the seats on its trains, in order to reduce congestion. But as of July 1, 75 percent of the places have been bookable instead.

The decision was based on the assumption that the summer travelers would primarily be families and smaller groups who would still sit together. Without business commuting and business travel, single travelers were expected to be so few that they could still be separated.

Complaints about congestion

Instead, travelers complained about cramped trains, where they were forced to sit next to strangers during longer journeys, contrary to the Swedish Public Health Agency's recommendations.

-During the summer, there are more families and groups. This is the experience we already have. But it is not an ordinary summer, it has been difficult to predict everything. Now we have analyzed, learned lessons and redone so it will be better for everyone, says SJ's press manager Tobbe Lundell.

As of Wednesday, only up to 65 percent of the seats on the trains will be sold. But the departures where up to 75 percent of the tickets have already been sold will go as planned, which means that the change will be visible on the trains only in a week.

Easier to book separately

At the same time, SJ is trying to solve another problem. Anyone who books a place online can find a free place on the train with the help of a place map. But the location map makes no difference between blocked and occupied places.

-We are now working to develop so that you can see if a place is blocked or booked by someone else, so that those who want to sit alone can choose such a place. But we will have to come back when it is finished, we hope it will take a few weeks, says Tobbe Lundell.