Normally, 300 trips are run between Gothenburg and Alingsås, Kungsbacka and Ale every day.
Since Lucia, more than 30 per day have been canceled due to staff shortages at SJ.
- We have twice as many patients right now, says Helena Isaksson, business area manager for SJ Götalandståg.
Corona discount at Västtrafik
The shuttle service is ordered by Västtrafik and for each canceled trip, which is not due to covid-19, SJ must pay a fine of approximately SEK 5,700.
The company also receives no variable remuneration.
SJ may also pay for the replacement buses that are used.
- There are strong financial incentives for everything to work, says Västtrafik's Deputy CEO Roger Vahnberg.
The reduction of commuter trains can be compared with what it looked like at the start of the pandemic.
- In April-May, we had withdrawals in tram traffic in the same way as we now have in train traffic.
Otherwise, we have actually had more traffic than normal, says Roger Vahnberg.
Attracted with 1,500 extra over Christmas
The company has had to hire extra staff and SEK 1,500 extra per shift, they got to work during days off during the Christmas weekends.
The plan was to be able to run full traffic again from Monday 10 January, but that will not be possible.
The reduction is now extended to 23 January.
- We think it is better to plan for canceled traffic already now so our passengers can know which trains are running and not instead of canceling an emergency on Monday, says Helena Isaksson.
The company replaces many canceled tours by bus and they try to withdraw the tours where travelers can go with another option.
Hear how SJ Götalandståg handles the staff shortage in the clip above.