Sweden takes on more risk in re-evaluated night train tender after bids exceed budget in 2nd attempt

The Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket) has cancelled its ongoing procurement for night train services between Stockholm and Upper Norrland after the bids received were too high for the financial framework. Now, the administration seeks a new solution to ensure traffic continuity from December 2026, taking on more risk, including responsibility for ageing rolling stock. 

The route between Stockholm and Upper Norrland is important for residents, tourism, and businesses in Upper Norrland, where commercial traffic alone cannot sustain services, says Trafikverket. The administration published a tender for the service in September last year, the second attempt in the troubled procurement for the service. In December 2026, the current agreement expires.

Bids too high

Though Trafikverket did not announce which operators submitted a bid, Swedish rail site Järnvägar reported that both Swedish state operator SJ and the Norwegian operator Vy submitted bids. Vy Tåg operated the night trains from December 2020 to December 2024.

Lennart Kalander, Deputy Head of Department at the Swedish Transport Administration, stated to the medium: “There is no fixed amount for night train traffic, but the bids that came in were far too high”. The site also spoke to state operator SJ, with business manager responsible for night train traffic between Stockholm and upper Norrland Jan Kyrk saying, “We do not yet know how the Swedish Transport Administration has reasoned and how it will try to solve the problem. The press release that went out on Friday was not very comprehensive, and we have not received any other information about the cancelled procurement.”

New approach for the night train to the north

To still secure night train services, Trafikverket says it is re-evaluating the agreement with a new solution. “The risk distribution is adjusted so that the Swedish Transport Administration takes greater responsibility for, among other things, the ageing rolling stock. This means that bidders have the conditions to submit competitive bids, says Lennart Kalander, Deputy Head of Department at the Swedish Transport Administration.”

Kalander explained in a statement that the new approach will allow operators to run more night trains during peak seasons, such as summer, when occupancy is higher. The administration requires that the operator runs at least one daily double trip between Stockholm and Narvik and another between Stockholm and Umeå. Kalander also noted that new night train vehicles, set for delivery from 2030, will enhance comfort and functionality, further improving the service for passengers.

The Swedish Transport Administration is responsible for state-procured traffic where commercial services are insufficient, particularly in northern Sweden, where long-distance transport gaps exist. While municipalities and regions manage regional transport, the administration steps in for long-distance services, including night trains, flights, and ferries to Gotland. For night trains, the administration directly contracts operators, whereas for other routes, it collaborates with regional authorities. This system ensures basic accessibility across the country, even where profitability is limited.

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