Inlandsbanan

Confidence in the future at an all-time high for Inlandsbanan

In recent years, new passenger trains were inaugurated on Inlandsbanan for the first time since 1979. This is an important step into the future and for increasing public transit on the railway.
Inlandsbanan has invested in five new passenger trains and an electric locomotive. One of the passenger trains is now in service and the others are being upgraded to run on routes with longer journey times.

“Thanks to financing from the Norrlandsfonden among others, we are now taking the next step into the future when it comes to passenger transport. The new passenger trains are of great importance to us and create a modern image for Inlandsbanan” says Peter Ekholm, CEO of Inlandsbanan.

“The fact that there is substantial investment in public transport in Norrland creates confidence that people will be able to live and work in this part of the country” says Maria Cederberg, CEO of Inlandståg.

“People have become more aware of trains and know what it means in environmental terms to choose the train. It has become the trendy way to travel, really exploding in the last years” continues Maria Cederberg.

Inlandsbanan was built to carry heavy goods and its topography makes it ideal for this purpose. An upgraded Inlandsbanan would act as a selling point for the whole country.

“Upgrading Inlandsbanan would have many positive effects for Sweden and for both passenger and freight traffic. Moving freight off the main lines, for example, would mean that passenger traffic could be increased” says Maria Cederberg.

Inlandsbanan is a group consisting of the parent company Inlandsbanan and the subsidiaries Destination Inlandsbanan and Inlandståget. Inlandsbanan is owned by 19 municipalities along its route.

“Our mission is to create growth in the country’s interior all the way from Kristinehamn in the south to Gällivare in the north. It is a large and important mission that includes ensuring good connections for commuting, tourism and freight” says Peter Ekholm.

Rail has a significant role in the Swedish transport system and well-functioning rail transport services are a prerequisite to meeting Sweden’s long-term climate goals.
“We work in an industry of the future. I’m meeting more and more customers who want to transfer their freight cargo to rail. If we secure a refurbished track and even more trains, there’s nothing that can stop us” says Maria Cederberg.

“I am very optimistic about the future, not least because I am convinced that the younger generation will place even greater demands on decision-makers to invest in sustainable transport” says Peter Ekholm, CEO of Inlandsbanan.