– We understand that many were hoping for an earlier start, says Helena Eriksson, regional director for the Northern region at the Swedish Transport Agency.
Extensive renovation work has been underway after the derailed section at Vassijaure, and for safety reasons the Swedish Transport Administration estimates that it will still take some time before the passenger trains can run.
Derailment on the Malmbanan at Vassijaure
– The final restoration of the track needs to take place under certain weather conditions and therefore cannot begin before a certain daily temperature has been reached and the frost has left the ground, says Helena Eriksson.
Currently, passenger traffic runs the stretch up to Björkliden, and the Swedish Tourist Association has expressed great dissatisfaction with the situation.
The Swedish Transport Administration is working with an action plan where they check the track after freight traffic was released on March 6. Controls and measures will also take place continuously under different temperature and weather conditions during traffic.