MTRC plans to pull out of Stockholm

[YorkRailFan]

The Standard Reports: MTR Corporation (006) plans an early termination of operations of the Stockholm commuter rail service, a move which will cost the company a total of HK$700 million this year. Its subsidiary will hand over the concession to a new operator in March next year and pay SEK580 million (HK$404.8 million) comprising an "exit fee" and other payments to settle outstanding issues relating to the operation and management, MTRC said in a filing on 1 November 2023. The company will also need to transfer certain inventory, spares, and assets to the new operator for no consideration, and thus a total charge of SEK 1 billion is expected to be recognized by the termination. The concession was scheduled to terminate in 2026, but since June, operations of the tail have continued to be subject to serious disruption caused by the ongoing shortage of local drivers and maintenance issues, MTRC said, adding that it had been working hard to improve the financial situation of the unprofitable business.

The regional transport authority (Storstockholms Lokaltrafik) has reached an agreement with state-owned SJ AB to operate Stockholm's Pendeltag services from 3 March 2024.

 

[ricohallo]

Does this also mean Interrail will be valid on those trains from 3 March 2024? Because that would be a huge improvement for those visiting Stockholm on Interrail.

 

[rvdborgt]

Does this also mean Interrail will be valid on those trains from 3 March 2024? Because that would be a huge improvement for those visiting Stockholm on Interrail.

If SJ don't say otherwise, then Interrail will be valid.

 

[dutchflyer]

Highly highly doubt this as IR/EUrail has till now never ever been available on those lines, which are of mostly only local value for commuters. They have always had their own integrated SL´County´fares with metro-bus-tram-and the odd boatline. These include fairly cheap day etc. tickets, if one also uses bus/metro thus no extra expense. Do NOT confuse with the other local lines around STO. I am not sure which of those MTR might also operate on contract.