After SMHI issued an orange warning for snowfall in the area around Stockholm and Uppsala, all train operators had a meeting with the Swedish Transport Administration. Because the Swedish Transport Administration asked the operators to reduce traffic, SJ has chosen to cancel all regional departures between Stockholm and Uppsala.
– We have chosen to do this in order to reduce the number of trains running on the route, says Leila Fogelholm at SJ’s press service.
Companies cooperate
To solve the problem, they have a ticket collaboration with other companies, where those who bought a ticket with SJ can travel with Mälartåg or SL on the route between Uppsala and Stockholm.
– If you have bought a ticket, you can rebook or cancel or travel on other trains. Our express trains and other lines in the country will operate as usual. Then you always get to see how the weather affects traffic.
The trains that are affected are the trains that run from 05:00 on Monday and the rest of the day.
SJ cannot say whether more trains during the week will be cancelled.
– As it looks according to the forecast, the weather should subside and the lines should run again on Tuesday, says Fogelholm.
SJ is also canceling some departures on the Stockholm-Västerås route and the Gävle-Linköping route. Customers who have booked a ticket on the affected departures will also be able to rebook or cancel their ticket there.
Reduced traffic
SL will also suspend traffic on Monday.
– We have made a decision to reduce the number of trains on the track. This allows us to reverse the trains on the track if we want. The trains that are canceled are SL commuter trains’ extra inserted departures. The extra trains run during rush hour in the morning and afternoon, says Karolina Wichman at the traffic administration’s press service.
The lines affected are line 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 48. According to Wichman, it is difficult from SL’s side to give a forecast for how long they will run with fewer trains.
– The reduced traffic will remain as long as the orange warning remains, she says.
Long-distance train traffic, the Stockholm-Arlanda train and other trains will also be affected.
Both SL and the Swedish Transport Administration urge travelers to be out in good time and, if possible, work from home. In addition to the trains being affected, it may also be difficult for other rail traffic, buses and cars to arrive.