The deployment of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) on-board equipment in Sweden should soon receive a boost as the government agreed to create a co-financing mechanism. The country’s transport administration Trafikverket has been tasked with creating the framework to enable the initiative.
Trafikverket has until the end of September 2025 to come up with an investment plan. The support, the government pointed out, might also be distributed according to the different types of vehicles. Thus, there could be a scheme for freight rolling stock, one for regional passenger trains and one for trains running on longer distances.
Scheme might be retroactive
In order to make this co-financing scheme fair for all, Trafikverket “should analyse the possibilities of retroactively providing support to operators who have previously installed onboard equipment for ERTMS”, the Swedish government stated. One interesting note is that, if there will be funding coming from the EU, it would be deducted from the support provided by the state.
Deadlines are looming
The deployment of ERTMS remains a race against time, and not only in Sweden. According to TEN-T regulations, a great number of railways need to be equipped with ERTMS by 2030. Currently, only sections of the so-called Iron Ore Line, one of the most utilised lines in the country for rail freight, are equipped with trackside ERTMS.
This means that rolling stock needs to be upgraded with ERTMS on-board components by then, otherwise there is the risk that locomotives will not be able to run. Hence the need for financial state support. For all these reasons, “the (Swedish) government considers that support for investments in on-board equipment for ERTMS needs to be introduced”.
A European problem
Implementing ERTMS in Europe continues to be a somewhat problematic task, in some countries more than others. Last week, the European Rail Freight Association sounded the alarm, pointing out that the constant introduction of new ERTMS specifications and upgraded versions brings significant instability and uncertainty to the sector. Different approaches in different countries and high costs are other issues that, paired with the incessant changes in versions, are making it difficult to have a seamless implementation.