{"id":171055,"date":"2025-01-29T20:51:25","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T10:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=59375"},"modified":"2025-01-29T20:51:25","modified_gmt":"2025-01-29T10:51:25","slug":"high-tacs-and-a-skills-shortage-create-problems-in-sweden","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=171055","title":{"rendered":"High TACs and a skills shortage create problems in Sweden"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sweden is struggling with numerous obstacles related to rail freight. Industries are sounding the alarm over high track access charges (TACs), which are set to nearly double in two years time. At the same time, the Stockholm region is facing an acute skills shortage, which may lead to infrastructure projects not being carried out altogether.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>\u201cIt’s like a punch in the gut. Year after year, we fight to reduce emissions by using the railway, but instead we are hit by this enormous cost increase\u201d, Mats Erk\u00e9n, CEO of logistics company ScandFibre told Swedish publication Tidningen N\u00e4ringslivet.<\/p>\n

The Swedish forest and heavy industry are affected by rapidly growing TACs. For ScandFibre, track access charges are set to grow from 44 million Swedish crowns (3,8 million euros) in 2024 to 80 million (7 million euros) by 2026 – nearly doubling in two years.<\/p>\n

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A train loaded with timber in Sweden. Image: Shutterstock. \u00a9 I Capture It<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Railway closure risk<\/h2>\n

The forest industry, which is reportedly in a vulnerable position with small financial margins, is one of Sweden\u2019s largest users of rail transportation. It accounts for 17 out of 68 million tonnes of the country\u2019s annual rail freight volume. There are now fears that it will have to turn to other modes of transportation to reduce costs.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the long run, there is a risk that existing railway lines will close down, because the business community simply cannot afford to pay the train operators. Such a scenario would in turn have major negative consequences for Swedish industry’s competitiveness and growth opportunities. We also know that it is difficult to get train lines back up and running once they have been closed down, which is why it is urgent to do something about the situation\u201d, Erk\u00e9n explained.<\/p>\n

Skills shortage<\/h2>\n

At the same time, the Stockholm region is going through a skills shortage in all transportation branches. Major rail projects, such as the Eastern Link and the M\u00e4laren Line are already ongoing, but could face delays or not be implemented at all, write Swedish media. Most of all, there is a need for signal technicians in the region.<\/p>\n

Proposed solutions reportedly include better forecasts of skills needs, improved training opportunities in the region and better conditions for training providers.<\/p>\n