COMMERCIAL operations began on the SKr 16.8bn ($US 2bn) Stockholm City Line on July 10, when the 05.04 Stockholm City - Nynashamn service became the first scheduled passenger train to run on the 6km underground line from Tomteboda in the north to Stockholm South.

EUROPEAN passenger rail operator Arriva has been re-awarded the franchise to run the Pågatågen train network in southern Sweden until 2026.

The €550m contract was awarded by the Skåne region’s transport authority following an open tender. Arriva has run the services since 2007 and already secured a two-year extension on its franchise through to 2018.

Arriva will be responsible for fleet maintenance and entering new trains into service. The fleet will be increased from 66 to 99 trains with more service connections.

To enable better coordination of services and improve passenger information, Arriva is developing a new digital mobility portal, Arriva Tågportal.

Arriva says over 21 million passenger journeys are made on the franchise every year, connecting people in Malmö, Helsingborg, Lund, and Trelleborg.

SWEDISH operator Västtrafik has awarded Alstom a €9m contract for the refurbishment of 18 X12 and X14 two-car EMUs, which operate on the Gothenburg - Borås and Uddevalla - Borås - Varberg.

SWEDISH contractor NCC and Spain’s OHL have been awarded a SKr 2bn ($US 230m) contract to build two extra tracks between Lund and Arlöv by the Swedish infrastructure manager, Trafikverket.

SWEDISH traffic management specialist (CTC) Cactus Rail has won an order to deliver CTC for a test track on the Åby - Katrineholm line as well as interchanges at Strångsjö and Simonstorp.

SWEDEN’s Inland Railway and investment banking group Macquirie have signed a joint letter of intent to co-operate on private financing for a project to rehabilitate the Gällivare - Östersund - Mora line.

SWEDEN’s infrastructure manager Trafikverket has awarded a 20-year framework contract for concrete sleepers, fastenings and sleeper pads to Strangbetong Rail, Abetong, and Pandrol.

TÜV SÜD announced on May 3 that it has acquired Swedish Company MiW Rail Technology for an undisclosed fee, as it aims to strengthen its position in the Scandinavian rail market.

STADLER confirmed on April 24 that it has finalised a SFr 232m ($US 233m) contract with Stockholm County Council for 22 EMUs for the 891mm-gauge Roslagsbanan, which links Stockholm with districts to the north and east of the city.

SWEDISH open-access operator MTR Express announced on April 12 that it will reduce journey times for its Stockholm - Gothenburg services after its fleet of Stadler Flirt trains received certification from rail regulator Transportstyrelsen to operate at their maximum speed of 200km/h.