“Severe cold” cancels trains and buses in Umeå.
Student Axel Ruggieri is standing at the bus station thinking about how to get to Luleå.
– If Russian trains can travel in freezing temperatures, Swedish trains should also be able to do so, he says.
After celebrating Christmas down in Skåne, it was time for Axel Ruggieri, 27, to travel home to Luleå where he studies and lives with his girlfriend.
But after changing trains in Stockholm, the journey stopped in Umeå. The trains are canceled due to the cold weather that affected large parts of northern Sweden. With safety and accessibility in mind goes nor any substitute bus service.
– It’s not very pleasant to stand here in minus 42 degrees at a bus station and not know what to do. I don’t know anyone in Umeå and just have to try to get on towards Luleå, says Axel Ruggieri.
He says that many are trying to move on or check into hotels in Umeå, but that several people are still stranded.
– It is not the train staff’s fault, they have been very nice and are only doing their job based on the conditions that exist. But it feels too damned that it should be like this. If Russian trains can travel in freezing temperatures, Swedish trains should also be able to do so.
“Will be compensated”
Vy tåg refers to the fact that they already published information on their website on Monday that all traffic is stopped north of Vännäs. The event with canceled departures due to the severe cold is considered force majeure.
– Since Monday, we have not run due to the low temperatures and information is being sent out to the travelers about it, says Christer Berglund, Vy train’s spokesperson.
Trafikbolaget regrets the situation and states that travelers whose trains are canceled will be compensated.
– For the departures that are cancelled, we will refund the ticket price all travelers, even those with non-refundable tickets, says Christer Berglund.
Rental car the only solution
Axel Ruggieri writes the exam on Monday and had hoped to have time to study with his friends over the weekend – and also time to hang out with his girlfriend.
The only solution he sees now is to try to get together with other travelers and rent a car to be able to travel on to Luleå.
– I am in the company of another student whom I know from school and we are trying to fill a car together with a few others. But the cost will be great. Rental car big enough to fit all our bags probably won’t be cheap plus the cost of gas on top of that too.
– I don’t know how we can fix this without it costing the shirt. But somehow we have to solve it, says Axel Ruggieri.