The Swedish Transport Administration, Trafikverket, signed an emergency agreement with state-owned operator SJ that can last a maximum of two years. 9 percent if SJ stays within budget. This setup costs around 200 million kronor per year for taxpayers, compared to the 10 to 11 million kronor that Vy received for the same assignment, and Trafikverket flagged in June last year that SJ's costs for night train traffic were escalating.
Historically, train companies Vy and SJ, which operated night trains to Narvik and Jämtland respectively, received million-kronor fines three years ago for closed toilets, broken ventilation, and delays. Passenger experiences have been problematic, such as for Anna-Klara Zetterström from Gothenburg, whose planned night train from Narvik to Stockholm was canceled the day after a trip to Abisko that faced issues like overheating, power outages, delays, non-functional toilets, and compartment doors that couldn't be opened. Broader context includes the government reducing subsidies for procured public transport, and many upset voices have been heard since the December announcement about the removal of the night train line.
We love the Swedish mountains, both summer and winter, and have traveled there at least twice a year in recent years. None of these times have gone as planned.
It has gotten worse over the past five years. There are often delays or canceled trains, and sometimes you get different information about whether the train is canceled or not. It is often very uncertain.