The agreement begins in December 2026 and runs for eight years, with an option for extension. VR Sverige has been awarded the upcoming operating contract for Mälartåg, covering services in the greater Stockholm-Mälaren region.
The contract was awarded by Mälardalstrafik, the public transport authority jointly owned by the regions of Stockholm, Sörmland, Uppsala, Västmanland, Örebro County, and Östergötland.
Mälartåg operates five lines in the region, with an annual ridership of more than 15 million passengers. The current fleet includes 62 trains, with an additional 13 units scheduled to enter service during 2028–2029 to meet projected passenger growth.
The new agreement includes a wide range of responsibilities: onboard staffing (train drivers and conductors), customer service, traffic control, disruption management, emergency replacement services, train and depot maintenance, and lost property handling.
Three bids were submitted by established operators. VR Sverige was selected following an evaluation process that emphasised service quality and operational development.
A formal contract may be signed after October 21, once the statutory standstill period concludes.
VR Sverige entered the Swedish rail market in 2022 following the acquisition of Arriva’s Swedish operations. In 2024, it also acquired MTRX, rebranding it as VR Snabbtåg. The company is part of VR Group, which is owned by the Finnish state and reported a 2023 turnover of EUR 1.2 billion, employing around 9,100 staff.