The cancellations come after a damaged wheel was found on an X2000 train during a routine check on Sunday, according to multiple media reports. SJ's press officer Lina Edström said the damage is of a type that requires inspection of all trains with the same type of wheel. She added that SJ hopes to complete inspections by midday Monday. The affected trains represent a significant portion of SJ's high-speed fleet, with 21 of its roughly 30 X2000 trains grounded for checks. Around 30 departures have been canceled, primarily on the busy routes between Stockholm and Gothenburg and Stockholm and Malmö, as reported by several sources.
The wheel defect has forced SJ to scramble to minimize disruption. Edström stated that the inspections are underway and that the company is working to restore normal service as quickly as possible. However, the exact cause of the defect remains unknown, and it is unclear whether the cancellations will extend beyond Monday. The situation highlights the vulnerability of rail operations to technical issues, especially when a key train type is sidelined.
The damage is of a type that requires inspection of all trains with the same type of wheel.
Despite the operational setback, SJ reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025. CEO Monica Lingegård said the company is very satisfied with the quarter. Operating profit reached 102 million SEK, a sharp turnaround from a loss of 74 million SEK in the same period last year. The operating margin improved to 3.0 percent from -2.8 percent. Passenger numbers increased by ten percent compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to company data. Lingegård attributed the growth to improved service and reliability, though the first quarter of 2024 had been affected by severe winter weather that caused many cancellations.
Ticket revenue rose 13 percent to 1,781 million SEK from 1,573 million SEK in the first quarter of 2024. The overall occupancy rate remained in line with the previous year, while the ticket price per passenger kilometer increased. Lingegård noted that more passengers after completing their journey in the first quarter of 2025 were willing to recommend SJ travel to others, indicating higher satisfaction. The company has been focusing on customer experience as part of its strategy to attract more travelers.
SJ hopes to complete inspections by midday Monday.
Improved punctuality contributed to the positive results. Due to the milder winter and a ten-point program including expanded de-icing capacity and more spare parts in stock, the number of canceled and delayed trains was significantly lower in Q1 2025 than in Q1 2024. Larger margins in the timetable for the Western Main Line during ongoing replacement of the overhead contact line system between Olskroken and Alingsås have also helped increase punctuality. These measures have allowed SJ to operate more reliably, even as infrastructure work causes longer travel times on some routes.
Infrastructure challenges remain a concern for SJ. Lingegård said that SJ's passengers are affected by longer travel times and more complicated journeys during the many weekend closures, but SJ welcomes the extensive investments in infrastructure. She emphasized that canceled and rerouted trains with longer travel times affect commercial operators like SJ very much. It is important that Trafikverket and its contractors work as efficiently as possible with large input of personnel and machinery, she added. The ongoing upgrades are expected to improve the network in the long term, but in the short term they create disruptions that SJ must manage.
Looking ahead, SJ's most important goal is to get more passengers, according to Lingegård. It is also important to make money; SJ is making large investments in new high-speed trains, new regional trains, refurbished X2000 trains, refurbished double-decker trains, refurbished sleeping and couchette cars, and refurbished kiosk cars. These investments are aimed at expanding capacity and improving the travel experience. However, the wheel defect incident could affect passenger confidence and financial performance in the second quarter of 2025. The full impact will depend on how quickly the inspections are completed and whether further defects are found.
Several unknowns remain. The cause of the wheel defect has not been determined, and it is unclear how long the cancellations will last beyond Monday. SJ has not specified the exact number of canceled departures, though multiple reports put the figure at around 30. The financial impact on Q2 2025 is also uncertain, as the company may face compensation costs and lost revenue from the disruptions. SJ will need to address these issues promptly to maintain its positive momentum.