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Mälardalstrafik

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Mälartåg (Swedish for "Mälar-train") is a Swedish regional train operator serving the Stockholm-Mälaren region. It is managed by Mälardalstrafik MÄLAB AB, commonly known as Mälardalstrafik, a company jointly owned by the regional public transport authorities in the Mälardalen area, including in Stockholm, Sörmland, Uppsala County, Västmanland, Örebro County, and Östergötland.[1]

Mälardalstrafik MÄLAB AB
  • Mälartåg (Train Services)
  • Mälardalstrafik (Company)
Company typeAktiebolag
IndustryTransport
PredecessorTåg i Mälardalen AB
Founded1991
Headquarters
Stockholm, Sweden
Area served
Stockholm Mälaren Region
Revenue1.3 billion SEK (2023)
Total assets392 million SEK (2023)
Owner
Number of employees
  • 28 (Direct employees)
  • 700 (Via Operating Contractor)
Websitehttps://malardalstrafik.se/en/ (Corporate)
https://malartag.se/en/ (Train Services)

Mälardalstrafik is responsible for managing and developing regional train services in these areas. Along with operating Mälartåg, the company offers Movingo, a period ticket option for commuters. Mälartåg primarily uses Stadler ER1 electric trainsets, with some routes also featuring Bombardier Regina X50 trains. Since June 2024 Mälartåg services have been run under contract by Transdev.[2]

History

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Predecessor

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Mälartåg originated from the establishment of Tåg i Mälardalen AB in 1991, which aimed to investigate the feasibility of a unified management system for train traffic in the Mälardalen region. In 1995, the company signed an agreement with SJ (Swedish State Railways) to operate regional train services in the area, leading to the formation of Trafik i Mälardalen AB. This partnership was jointly owned by SJ and Mälardalstrafik MÄLAB AB, each holding 50% of the company.

Trafik i Mälardalen facilitated ticketing and operational coordination, allowing tickets to be used on SJ's Regional and InterCity trains across various routes, including Linköping, Norrköping, Stockholm, and Uppsala. The Trafik i Mälardalen collaboration ended on September 30, 2017.[3]

Establishment

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A Mälartåg train leaving Stockholm Central Station

In December 2013, six public transport authorities in Mälardalen had already reached an agreement to develop train services in eastern Sweden. However, the project faced challenges when SJ opposed it, leading to a temporary halt in progress. After resolving legal issues, the authorities moved forward with their plans.[4]

In June 2014, a decision was made to increase train traffic in the Mälardalen region by approximately 30%. This expansion aimed to enhance connectivity between Stockholm and surrounding areas, and involved plans to acquire additional trains. The initiative was supported by regional authorities. As part of the expansion, it was announced in February 2017 that Mälardalstrafik had ordered 33 new double-decker trains from the Swiss manufacturer Stadler.[5] These trains were designed for operation on key routes in the Mälardalen region and were delivered from 2018.[6]

The decision to expand services led to the introduction of Mälartåg, which began operations in conjunction with the Movingo period ticket launched on September 30, 2017. The Movingo ticket facilitated unlimited travel on SJ's regional trains and local public transport within the counties of Stockholm, Sörmland, Västmanland, Uppsala, Örebro, and Östergötland.[3]

Contract Operators

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SJ and Mälartåg staff at Stockholm Central Station

Mälartåg is operated using a contract model, with Mälardalstrafik responsible for setting fares and service levels in collaboration with its six owner regions, as well as procuring rolling stock. Operations are tendered to a contracted operator, who delivers services based on these agreements. Mälardalstrafik itself employs 28 staff members, while the contracted operator is responsible for operational staff.[7]

SJ (2017 - 2021)

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Mälardalstrafik had a contract with SJ for regional train services from 2017 to 2021. During this period, SJ operated trains using its existing fleet, which included locomotive-hauled passenger coaches and electric multiple units. As the contract progressed, Mälardalstrafik transitioned to using its own new rolling stock.[8]

MTR (2021-2024)

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In December 2020, MTR Corporation was awarded the Mälartåg operating contract, which commenced on December 12, 2021.[9][10] This contract was initially set to run until December 2029, with the option for a one-year extension. However, MTR faced significant challenges in establishing sustainable operations. On February 22, 2024, MTR announced the early termination of the Mälartåg contract.[11]

Transdev (2024-)

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In February 2024, it was announced that Transdev would take over responsibility for Mälartåg services starting on June 16, 2024. This new contract, structured as a temporary 'emergency agreement', will last for two years and cover all of Mälartåg's services.[12][13] The contract handover also involved the 700 Mälartåg employees from MTR, who were moved to Transdev.[14]

Rolling Stock

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Mälartåg operates two types of trains, both trains are owned by Transitio AB, a company jointly owned by several Swedish regions, and leased to Mälardalstrafik.[15]

ER1

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Mälartåg's fleet primarily consists of Stadler DOSTO four-car double-deck electric multiple units, designated as ER1. The trains are a variant of the Stadler KISS series, adapted for the Swedish climate and loading gauge. They are capable of operating at -40°C with up to 800mm of snow on the tracks. Features include inter-vehicle gangways with insulated twin bellows, large snowploughs, and underframes are designed to minimise freezing.[15] The first ER1 trains entered service on December 15, 2019, initially on the Arboga–Eskilstuna–Stockholm line. As of 2024, Mälardalstrafik operates a total of 53 ER1 double-decker trains.

ER1 Specifications[16]
Manufacturer Stadler Rail AG
Maximum speed 200 km/h
Total length 104.81 meters
Body width 292 cm
Maximum axle load 20.9 tonnes
Empty weight 232 tonnes
Seating capacity 333 fixed seats, 24 folding chairs

The acquisition of these trains occurred in several phases:

  • In June 2016, a total of 33 ER1 units were ordered from Stadler for Mälardalstrafik.
  • In June 2020, an additional order for 12 units was placed, utilising an option from the 2016 contract, which was valued at 133.3 million Swiss francs.
  • Following the integration of Upptåget into Mälartåg on June 12, 2022, 8 more ER1 units were added to the fleet.
  •  
    An ER1 Train in Stockholm
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    An ER1 Train at Nyköping Station
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    ER1 unit Displayed at InnoTrans Berlin in 2018
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    ER1 Interior
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    ER1 unit in former Upptåget branding

X50

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In addition to the primary ER1 units, Mälartåg's fleet includes six Regina trains (designated as X50) from the early 2000s, which are used mainly on the Linköping - Katrineholm - Eskilstuna - Västerås - Sala line. These were acquired from the Upptåget integration in June 2022,[17] and repainted to Mälartåg livery.[18]

X50 Specifications[16]
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation
Maximum speed 200 km/h
Maximum axle load 18.5 tonnes
Seating capacity 170-195 fixed seats,19-29 folding chairs
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    A Regina train before repainting to Mälartåg livery
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    A Regina train before repainting to Mälartåg livery

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Nordebo, Peter (2024-02-23). "Transdev tar över Mälartåg | Publikt". www.publikt.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  2. ^ "Nu tar Transdev över driften av Mälartåg | Mälardalstrafik". via.tt.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  3. ^ a b Nyheter, S. V. T. (2017-09-28). "Ny pendlarbiljett mellan Stockholm och Mälardalen". SVT Nyheter (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  4. ^ Hvidfeldt, Nisse; Levinson, Petra (2014-06-19). "Klart om fler tåg i Mälardalen". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  5. ^ "ABB tar hem mångmiljonorder för nya tåg i Mälardalen". Bbl/AT (in Swedish). 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  6. ^ Burroughs, David (June 27, 2018). "Stadler presents first Mälartåg EMU in Stockholm". International Railway Journal.
  7. ^ "Årsredovisning 2023" (PDF). Mälardalstrafik MÄLAB AB.
  8. ^ "Övergångsavtalet". MÄLAB. Archived from the original on 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2017-10-07.
  9. ^ "Nytt avtal mellan MTR och Mälardalstrafik signerat". Mälardalstrafik. 2021-03-22. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  10. ^ "Upphandling måste göras om". April 27, 2021.
  11. ^ International2024-02-28T15:03:00+00:00, Railway Gazette. "MTR agrees early hand-back of Mälartåg operating contract". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2024-09-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ Stockholm, P4 (2024-02-22). "MTR förlorar ännu ett tågavtal: "Vi ger inte upp"". Sveriges Radio (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Johnsson, Peter (2024-02-22). "Transdev tar över Mälartåg". Järnvägar.nu. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  14. ^ "Mälartåg premiärrullar under ny flagg". www.jarnvagsnyheter.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  15. ^ a b "Stadler presents first Mälartåg EMU in Stockholm". International Railway Journal. June 27, 2018.
  16. ^ a b "About Our Trains". malartag.se. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  17. ^ "Vagnguide - Motorvagn X50/X51/X52/X53/X54 - järnväg.net". www.jarnvag.net. Retrieved 2024-09-15.
  18. ^ "Ny design för Mälartågs Reginor – AB Transitio" (in Swedish). Retrieved 2024-09-15.
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