The politicians in the Mälardalsrådet’s theme group for international accessibility and competitiveness have presented a report that focuses on strengthening Arlanda’s competitiveness, supporting the restructuring of shipping, keeping the waterways open and promoting long-distance train traffic to the continent and Oslo.
– International relations are crucial for Sweden’s competitiveness and here Arlanda has a key role. We need more direct lines to compete for the multinational offices’ establishments. But if aviation is to be sustainable in the long term, we must move forward with climate work. Arlanda will take the lead in aviation’s climate transition. Train traffic and shipping must also be developed to strengthen Sweden. Our exchange with Norway is hugely important and better train connections are needed through the densely populated parts of Mälardalen to and from Oslo, says Andreas Svahn, chairman of the regional board in Region Örebro County and chairman of the International Accessibility and Competitiveness group.
– Arlanda is a national interest for the development of the business world and must be the Nordic region’s leading airport. In our work, we politicians have come together and pointed out what the state needs to do to support Arlanda as a transport hub and what role we as regions have in developing public transport to and from the airport. In train traffic, a boost is needed for us to become part of the international traffic flows, not least towards the continent. There must be capacity in Sweden when the Fehmarn-Bält, the new connection between Denmark and Germany opens in 2029, says Cecilia Linder, regional councilor Region Uppsala and vice-chairman of the group International accessibility and competitiveness.
During the year, 70 politicians from seven counties collaborated in three thematic groups to agree on joint positions for the Stockholm-Mälar region’s transport, with the support of experts from various sectors. These positions will be fundamental for the further development of the region’s transport system.
The report Stockholm-Mälar region’s international accessibility and competitiveness in brief:
- The Stockholm-Mälar region is a national hub in international exchange and accounts for approximately 50 percent of Sweden’s GDP. International accessibility is a prerequisite for the region’s competitiveness and continued development
- Rail, ports and air are all important parts of an interconnected system that all contribute to international accessibility
- The Stockholm-Mälar region is an important part of the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) and works to achieve the EU’s goal of a cohesive European transport system without bottlenecks
- Arlanda is a guarantor of both Sweden’s and the region’s international accessibility and competitiveness. Arlanda must develop with more international direct connections to important markets and be a leader in aviation’s climate transition
- With tens of thousands of air travelers and workplaces, Arlanda is an important node in the region’s transport system. It must be smooth and cheap to travel by public transport to Arlanda. The state urgently needs to start a negotiation with the aim of abolishing the station fee at Arlanda C.
- Baltic Sea traffic is important for both passenger and freight transport to Finland and the Baltics. Fairways, canals and locks need to function and the icebreaker fleet renewed before 2030
- Shipping’s transition to sustainability must be accelerated and accessibility to the ports by public transport must be good
- The international accessibility by train for the Stockholm-Mälar region must be improved, among other things Sweden needs to ensure that there is sufficient capacity when the Fehmarn Belt connection opens in 2029 and travel times to Norway (Oslo) need to be shortened
- The state needs to take a role in promoting long-distance train traffic, for example through cooperation at EU level to make it easier for the traveler when booking cross-border train journeys
Positions from International accessibility and competitiveness in point form
- Arlanda is a national interest for the development of business and international competitiveness and is to be the Nordic region’s leading airport
- There must be good international accessibility via environmentally sustainable shipping
- The international accessibility by train for the Stockholm-Mälar region must be improved
