Stockholm Commuter Rail - Future Expansions

Future Expansions

The Swedish Rail Administration has approved the construction of a rail tunnel through central Stockholm, with a planned opening date in 2017. This new tunnel, known as Citybanan (‘the city line’), is intended for the exclusive use of the Pendeltåg system, and would split commuter traffic onto separate tracks from long-distance trains while traveling through the city. This would ease the rail systems' congestion problems, and permit Stockholm Transport to schedule more frequent service. Construction of the Citybanan began in 2008. It would also allow more frequent service for other trains, increasing the capacity for large parts of the Swedish rail network since many trains go to and from Stockholm.

In December 2007, reports emerged about a potential future extension of the Stockholm commuter rail system to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport; at present, the airport has an express service from Stockholm C, but at least one change is required to reach it from any other station. Though Stockholm Transport reacted positively to the idea, the implementation of any such project is subject to successful negotiations between Stockholm Transport and Arlanda Express, who already operate the direct train from Stockholm Central Station to the airport, and have operating rights for the tracks involved. There is already a county-operated train system stopping at Arlanda, it is the Upptåget system run by the Uppsala County (although the airport is in the Stockholm County), and the railway operator or the Arlanda railway station claims 75 SEK extra from each Upptåget passenger using the airport station. The same fee can be expected if SL runs trains there. It is the railway and station owner who demands that fee to exist, which shall pay for its construction. Service to Stockholm Arlanda Airport on the Stockholm commuter rail finally began on December 9, 2012.