In regards to the correct application of the First Railway Package through the separation of the national rail infrastructure manager from the railway operators, Sweden is the first positive example which comes in the minds of all those involved in the railway sector. Of course, other countries followed its example in implementing the provisions which support railway transport and the railway market, as well as a fair competition between all modes of transport. However, Sweden remains the main example through which the government wants to promote the support granted for the fulfilment of the social objectives and also ensure a competitive balance in the support of public transport.
In 1988, Sweden divided the state-owned railways into two separate entities: Banverket, which handles the management and exploitation of the railway infrastructure and Swedish Railways (SJ), which ensures transport services. Judging by the initial objectives – equal state support for railway and road transport and internalisation of costs – we can safely say that the separation has been successful.
Anticipating measures in the transport sector
After separating the infrastructure manager from the operator, Sweden plans to implement a second major reorganisation in the transport sector. Hence, a new authority was set up on April 1: Borlange-based Trafikverket. This measure involves the merger of all modes of transport and road/railway network management. Gunar Malm is the General Manager of Trafikverket.
On April 1, Banverket, the national rail infrastructure manager, merged with Vagverket, the national road infrastructure manager, to be part of Trafikverket, which will plan port and airport routes and the road routes between them. Moreover, Vagverket’s division which used to handle highways construction and maintenance was reorganised in January 2010. At the same time, Banverket’s production division which used to handle track renewal and maintenance has now become a separate state-owned company. “We have to invest in today’s transport system if we want to efficiently create tomorrow’s society. We are responsible for the fact that the entire railway transport system operates in favour of the citizens”, said Minoo Akhtarzand, former general manager of Banverket.
It was estimated that, for the first year, Trafikverket’s budget will amount to approx. SEK 46 Billion (EUR 5 Billion), allocated for investments and maintenance. Of this, SEK 15 Billion (approx. EUR 1.5 Billion) will be allocated to the railway sector and SEK 20 Billion (approx. EUR 2 Billion) will go to the road sector. In February, the Swedish Parliament approved the budget and the necessary legislation for the set up of Trafikverket and the dissolution of Banverket and Vagverket. “It’s important to look at the entire infrastructure from an intermodal perspective. Having only one authority control all the modes of transport, we will be able to comprehend better the connections between them and also improve investments and maintenance”, said Ragnvald Paulsson, within the Ministry of Infrastructure. In 2010, Sweden plans to develop a more efficient railway competition. Minister of Infrastructure Asa Torstensson said that “the liberalisation of Swedish railways may bring passengers the same benefits as air transport”. Developing a more efficient dialogue with the regions and municipalities in Sweden, the new Transport Authority handles the collective long-term planning of all the infrastructures.
The Transport Authority will also handle the construction and maintenance of national roads, highways and railways. Moreover, Trafikverket will be responsible for the efficient use of the infrastructure and the safe and eco-friendly promotion of transport systems.
by Elena Ilie
Share on:
