The tender for night train services to northern Sweden has been canceled and will be relaunched under a new contract model, adapted to current market conditions and budgetary constraints.

Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration, decided to cancel the ongoing procurement process after the bids received did not fall within the established financial limits. The measure was taken to allow for the redefinition of the contractual structure and to ensure service continuity after the current agreement expires in December 2026.

Under the new framework, the Swedish authority intends to adjust the distribution of risks, taking on a more active role, including in the management of the aging rolling stock fleet. This change aims to create more balanced and attractive conditions for operators, so that they can submit sustainable and competitive bids.

“Operators will have the opportunity to introduce additional night trains during peak periods, such as the busy travel season,” said Lennart Kalander, deputy head of the department at Trafikverket.

Trafikverket is mandated to ensure nationwide transport accessibility. When commercial services do not sufficiently cover certain routes, the agency organizes state-subsidized services designed to supplement the mobility network within the limits of the available budget. This includes night train services between Stockholm and the far north of Sweden, along with similar contracts for rail, air, road, and maritime connections to Gotland.

The route is of strategic importance for the region’s residents, for tourism, and for the economy of Norrland, Sweden’s largest region, which covers approximately 60% of the country’s territory but has a low population density.

The new requirements stipulate the maintenance of at least one daily round-trip service on the Stockholm–Narvik and Stockholm–Umeå routes, with the possibility of introducing additional trains during peak periods, particularly during the tourist season, to meet increased demand.

Additionally, starting in 2030, new rolling stock is scheduled to be delivered for night train services, which will help improve comfort, reliability, and the overall quality of service.

Currently, night train services to northern Sweden, including to Umeå, Luleå, and Narvik, are operated by the railway company SJ AB under a contract awarded through the public service subsidy system.

These connections play a vital role in ensuring mobility in the north of the country, where long distances and limited transport alternatives make night train services a critical component for both the population and the economy and tourism.