The procurement process for 20 Norrtåg regional trains has been launched as part of the “Tågvision 2040” strategy for the development of passenger rail transport in northern Sweden. This represents the largest investment in rolling stock in Norrtåg’s history.
Norrtåg’s four owners have decided to provide guarantees for Norrtåg AB as part of the procurement process for the new regional trains, which allows the formal launch of the tender. The maximum investment amount, including components and project costs, totals 3.8 billion Swedish kronor (approximately 347 million EUR).
Delivery of the new trains is estimated for 2031–2032, given that the production and delivery of rolling stock takes between four and five years from the time of order.
The investment is being carried out through the jointly owned company AB Transitio, which is responsible for the procurement and financing of rolling stock for several regional authorities in Sweden.
This decision marks the beginning of one of the most significant investments in Norrtåg’s history and represents a decisive step toward realizing “Tågvision 2040,” the long-term plan for the development of regional rail transport in northern Sweden.
The new trains will have greater capacity, be adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of northern Sweden, and be designed for both daily commuting and longer journeys between cities and regions in the area. Currently, Norrtåg carries approximately 1.6 million passengers annually, and estimates for 2040 indicate an increase to 3.5–5 million passengers per year.
The role of Norrtåg, AB Transitio, and VR Sverige in the procurement of Norrtåg regional trains
The new Norrtåg regional trains will replace the existing rolling stock, which is reaching the end of its service life, and will enable the expansion of services upon the completion of the Norrbotniabanan line and the development of traffic on new routes throughout the Norrtåg network.
The Norrbotniabanan is a railway line under construction in northern Sweden, designed to connect cities along the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, particularly between Umeå and Luleå.
In a typical month, Norrtåg carries an average of 140,000 passengers on a network of approximately 1,500 km of track. Largely on a single-track line, daily traffic runs on the following routes: Owned by the regional authorities of northern Sweden, Norrtåg is a public transport organization that plans and finances regional rail services.
AB Transitio is the joint venture that owns and procures the rolling stock, and VR Sverige is the contracted rail operator that actually runs the trains on these routes.
- Umeå–Sundsvall (Botniabanan);
- Sundsvall–Storlien (Central Line);
- Umeå–Vännäs–Vindeln–Hällnäs (regional cross-country line);
- Umeå–Luleå (Northern Bothnia Line);
- Luleå–Kiruna (Malmbanan); and
- Luleå–Haparanda (Haparandabanan).
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