The new train timetable, which comes into effect in December, includes several improvements for train passengers to and from Jämtland. The county's development with increased business and year-round tourism creates the basis for increased rail traffic.
From December, SJ will run more trains to and from western Jämtland, with all intercity trains going to Duved, year-round. The expansion is a result of Jämtland's strong development and further investments in the tourism sector to make the county a stronger tourist destination.
The new intercity trains that were introduced this year normally stop in Östersund, except during the winter season when they continue to Duved. SJ has now decided that all intercity trains will continue to Duved regardless of the season or time of year. All intercity trains will therefore have Duved as their final and departure point. In addition, the night train to Gothenburg will have a better arrival time, at 08.15. Since 2020, the arrival time of the night train to Gothenburg has been brought forward by 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Starting in December, Jämtland will be served all year round by two daily intercity trains Duved-Stockholm, the night train Duved-Stockholm/Gothenburg and the express train Östersund-Stockholm. The express train will operate as before with an early departure from Östersund and an afternoon departure from Stockholm.
- This is a long-awaited investment. It improves the possibility of continuing to reach our region in a sustainable way. We see the investment that SJ is making in Jämtland/Härjedalen as a result of good cooperation and it enables further investments in creating strong year-round destinations, says Teres Gärdin, CEO of Jämtland Härjedalen Turism.
The day trains to and from Jämtland have been some of the SJ trains where travel has not decreased as much as on other lines during the corona pandemic. The night trains have had 40 percent more passengers so far this year, compared to the same period before the pandemic. The relatively strong travel is also behind SJ now investing more in Jämtland.
- For several years, SJ has developed and increased traffic to and from Jämtland. We have also followed Jämtland's work on seasonal adjustment, where they work towards an increased spread of travel over the year to utilise the capacity available within both the transport system and at destinations, something we are seeing with not only night trains but now also all intercity trains continuing to Västjämtland all year round, says Jan Kyrk, Business Manager at SJ.
The improvements in train traffic are the result of several years of collaboration between politicians in Jämtland Härjedalen, destinations and the tourism industry, the Swedish Tourist Association and SJ.
-SJ's expansion of traffic is welcome. It simplifies travel for those who live and work in the county, and improves our opportunities to invest in our county and attract even more people to visit us. Our strategy is to make Jämtland a year-round destination, and it is important that it is possible to travel here in a climate-smart way, says Elise Ryder Wikén, chairwoman of the Jämtland Härjedalen regional development committee.
