The change of power creates concern in the train industry - could stop investment in high-speed trains

Both M and SD have said no to the former red-green government's billion-dollar investment in high-speed trains.

It is too costly, says M, and instead wants to invest in maintenance of already existing train traffic.

But this is not enough, the train companies now warn.

- Politicians must be able to make both short-term investments, such as maintenance and four-track, and long-term investments, such as new main lines for high-speed trains, says Filip Johansson, CEO of MTRX.

He believes that where politics guides the train industry is important in order to make the necessary multibillion-dollar investments that sometimes extend over 30-40 years - or even longer.

- Then it is not possible for us to have this jerk every four or eight years, but there must be stability, continuity and a broad political anchoring in the matter, he says.

"Major negative consequences"

SJ's press manager also believes that the shift in power creates anxiety in the industry, and wants today's politicians not to make the same mistakes that, in his opinion, were made 30 or 40 years ago:

- They chose to prioritize road and air traffic, which has led to the fact that train traffic in Sweden today lacks the capacity needed to meet today's and future demand for train travel, he says and continues:

- So yes, of course we are very concerned about what this change of power will mean.

If the project with new trunk lines is scrapped – as M and SD have said they want to do – it will have major negative consequences.

SVT has asked both M and SD for a comment, but the parties have declined participation.

The work continues

Earlier this year, the Swedish Transport Administration presented a plan to invest close to SEK 900 billion on the infrastructure during the period 2022 to 2033, a framework amount that the Riksdag has hammered through.

Of this, NOK 107 billion is to be set aside for main lines for high-speed trains.

The question is whether the new government would stop such a large and already started project.

- It remains to be seen, says Bengt Olsson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.

- We are working according to the assignments we receive from the government, but as long as we do not receive new information, the work with the main lines will continue, he says.