Norrland night train passengers decline amid infrastructure concerns

Passenger numbers on SJ trains to and from Upper Norrland have decreased by ten percent compared to last year, according to SJ business manager Jan Kyrk. The decline is attributed to decisions by Trafikverket and a perceived lack of government interest in night train services. Travelers have expressed a desire for continuous night train connections between Stockholm and Narvik via Kiruna and Abisko without the need for early morning transfers in Boden.

Trafikverket is set to replace SJ for certain night train routes, including Stockholm–Narvik and Stockholm–Umeå, starting December 13. However, ongoing track work on the Malmbanan line continues to pose challenges. SJ has called for the removal of temporary speed reductions and better coordination of maintenance work to minimize the impact on night train services.

In response to these developments, the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet) has proposed restoring night train services through long-term state funding. Party leader Nooshi Dadgostar is also advocating for the construction of the New East Coast Line (Nya Ostkustbanan) with double tracks from Gävle to Härnösand to resolve significant bottlenecks in the national rail network.