Bättre nattåg för Sverige. Lärdomar från Trafikverkets upphandling och förslag för framtiden.

Abstract

Sweden is one of Europe’s most geographically elongated countries, with approximately 2,000 kilometres by land from north to south. This places high demands on efficient, sustainable and economically viable long-distance transport. Night trains offer unique advantages in such a setting: passengers travel while sleeping, travel time is used efficiently, and trains can serve numerous intermediate destinations along their routes. Energy consumption is substantially lower than for air travel, and with appropriate vehicle design and operations, night trains can provide both attractive passenger services and sound economic performance.

At present, Sweden’s year-round night train network is focused almost exclusively on routes to and from Stockholm. Large population centres in southern and western Sweden, as well as inland central Sweden, lack direct daily night train services to northern Sweden despite having a substantially larger combined population than the Stockholm region. This report therefore examines the potential for a broader and more effective night train network serving Sweden and selected routes into Norway.

The analysis focuses on four key objectives: cost efficiency, passenger comfort, operational reliability and flexibility in meeting changing market demand. A central conclusion is that vehicle design plays a decisive role in achieving these objectives. Swedish and Nordic railways permit larger loading gauges than those common on continental European railways, creating opportunities for wider and more space-efficient vehicles. This allows full-length beds, improved accessibility, wider corridors, larger luggage areas and lower costs per passenger berth.

The report proposes locomotive-hauled trains consisting of interchangeable coaches rather than fixed trainsets. Such a configuration allows train capacity to be adapted to seasonal demand, facilitates maintenance through the replacement of individual vehicles, and improves fleet utilisation. The proposed concept is designed for the characteristics of the Swedish market, including large seasonal variations, long travel distances and diverse passenger groups.

A successful night train system must accommodate travellers with different preferences and purchasing power. The proposed trains therefore include a combination of sleeping cars, reclining-seat coaches and service cars. Flexible compartments accommodating one, two, three, four or six berths would enable operators to serve business travellers, families, tourists, students and other passenger groups efficiently. On longer routes, restaurant and catering services should be available.

The report also evaluates the night train fleet ordered by the Swedish Transport Administration in 2026. It concludes that the selected design does not provide the capacity, flexibility or cost efficiency required for large-scale and affordable overnight travel in Sweden. Compared with current Swedish night trains, the number of sleeping berths is substantially reduced, particularly in lower-price accommodation categories. The resulting decrease in capacity is likely to increase operating costs per passenger, raise ticket prices and/or require higher public subsidies, while also reducing accessibility for many travellers.

Long-term success depends not only on train design but also on high vehicle utilisation, reliable infrastructure, robust maintenance systems and effective operational management. While public ownership of the trains is not considered essential, the report argues that governments should facilitate low-cost financing through loan guarantees or similar mechanisms. A modern night train fleet should be regarded as strategic transport infrastructure that contributes to national mobility, regional development and societal resilience.

The report concludes that, with appropriate vehicle design, financing arrangements and operating strategies, night trains can become a central component of Sweden’s future transport system. They offer a sustainable, energy-efficient and socially accessible alternative for long-distance travel while supporting climate goals, regional connectivity and civil preparedness. The recommendations presented focus on solutions suitable for 30–40 years of operation in Sweden and Norway.