SJ stopped all X2000 train services on Monday morning after a cracked wheel was discovered on Sunday, according to multiple reports. The defect prompted an immediate halt to all X2000 traffic between Stockholm and Gothenburg, and between Malmö and Karlstad, during the morning rush. Other trains, including those operated by competitor VR, ran as normal, but the cancellations caused significant disruption on Sweden's busiest rail corridors.
SJ inspected all X2000 trains overnight to check for similar defects, with the defective wheels found on 13 trains, according to multiple reports. At a meeting at 09:00, SJ gave the go-ahead to resume services at 14:00, and by 10:00, four of the 13 affected trains had been approved after inspection. The stop was initially expected to last until lunchtime on Monday, but the resumption time was later set for 14:00, creating confusion among passengers planning their travel.
Passengers at Stockholm Central reported difficulties contacting SJ by phone.
Passengers at Stockholm Central reported difficulties contacting SJ by phone, according to Aftonbladet, which quoted Anders Elers Ivarsson describing the situation. According to the same report, a passenger criticized that customer service staff could not rebook group tickets. Another passenger, Inger Petersson, told Aftonbladet that she was offered a free cancellation but not compensation for hotel costs. At Gothenburg Central, SJ's customer service staff confirmed that many passengers had rebooked or stayed home. A Chinese tourist at Malmö Central, Chenchen Zhang Justys, told Dagens Nyheter that she felt abandoned after seeing a red cross on the departure board. SJ stated they have contacted all affected passengers, but many complained about long wait times and inadequate support.
Despite the disruption, SJ reported strong financial results for the first quarter of 2025. CEO Monica Lingegård said in a press release that SJ is very satisfied with the first quarter of 2025. Passenger numbers increased by ten percent compared to the same quarter last year, while ticket revenue rose 13 percent to 1,781 million SEK from 1,573 million SEK in Q1 2024. Operating profit improved to 102 million SEK from a loss of 74 million SEK in the same period last year, and the operating margin rose to 3.0 percent from -2.8 percent. Lingegård noted that SJ's most important goal is to get more passengers and that 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. The first quarter of 2024 was affected by many canceled trains and reduced travel due to vehicle shortages after a severe winter, but milder weather and a ten-point program including expanded de-icing capacity and more spare parts led to significantly fewer cancellations and delays in Q1 2025. Larger margins in the timetable for the Western Main Line during ongoing replacement of the contact line installation between Olskroken and Alingsås also contributed to increased punctuality. Lingegård acknowledged that 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 added that canceled and rerouted trains with longer travel times affect commercial operators like SJ very much and stressed that it is important that Trafikverket and its contractors work as efficiently as possible with large inputs of personnel and machinery. More passengers after completing their journey during the first quarter were willing to recommend SJ to others, Lingegård said. Supply increased and overall occupancy rate was in line with the previous year, while the ticket price per passenger kilometer (yield) increased compared to the same quarter last year.
A passenger criticized that customer service staff could not rebook group tickets.
To mitigate the disruption, SJ will use slower trains on some routes as replacements, according to multiple reports. SVT listed specific cancelled departures from Stockholm, Malmö, and Gothenburg, and passengers were advised to check SJ's website for updates. The replacement services are expected to cause longer travel times, and it is unclear how long they will remain in service.
Several questions remain unanswered. The cause of the crack in the wheel has not been determined, and it is unknown how many passengers were affected by the cancellations. SJ has not clarified whether it will offer compensation beyond free cancellation, and there are lingering safety concerns about the other X2000 trains that have not yet been inspected. The duration of the replacement slower train services also remains uncertain.
A passenger was offered a free cancellation but not compensation for hotel costs.
A Chinese tourist at Malmö Central felt abandoned after seeing a red cross on the departure board.