Swedish operator launches tender for 30 high-speed trains

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A stock high-speed train photo. Credit: Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock.
A stock high-speed train photo. Credit: Denis Belitsky/Shutterstock.
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Swedish train operator SJ has initiated the procurement of 30 high-speed trains.

The decision is part of an aggressive investment strategy by the government-owned company as it looks to spend SKR 9 billion (around €942 million) in five years.

At least SKR 5 billion (around €523 million) will be spent on high-speed trains, marking its largest train investment in more than 30 years.

The new trains will be travel at speeds of up to 250km/h – the fastest in the country – and be delivered from 2021 on stretches that are in need of increased seating capacity. Each vehicle will have more than 350 seats.

Tender requests have been sent to suppliers from inside and outside of Europe, according to SJ, with a focus on intelligent technology and adapted trains for Nordic conditions.


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SJ CEO Crister Fritzson called the decision by the board to initiate procurement a milestone moment in the company’s investment strategy.

He added: “By acquiring new modern trains, we will be able to meet the increasing demand for rail travel in the future, while providing our customers with a better travel experience.

“The new trains will provide better comfort, shorter travel time and increased punctuality and reliability.

“We will drive the new trains within Sweden as well as Norway and Denmark.

“The plan is to start driving on the Stockholm-Malmö route, as part of our investment in southern Sweden.”

As well as the high-speed investment, the wider investment strategy includes modernising all the X2000 trains and the entire night train fleet.

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