Knivsta municipality has criticized Mälartåg for canceled departures, delays, and overcrowding during the winter. Jenny Rydåker, the municipality's planning director, says the issues affect commuters' daily lives and cause stress. A dialogue with operator Mälardalstrafik is underway.
Knivsta municipality has responded to repeated issues with Mälartåg trains over the winter. Commuters have had to wait for the next train on several occasions due to full carriages. Jenny Rydåker, planning director, stresses: “It affects people's daily lives and leads to stress.” She adds: “As a commuter, one must be able to rely on trains running and getting correct information when they don't.”
Mälartåg took over the Stockholm–Uppsala route in December 2024. Punctuality from December 2024 to April 2026 stands at 94.6 percent from Uppsala to Knivsta, but only 86.1 percent in the opposite direction. For trains starting in Stockholm, the figure is 90.9 percent, according to train driver and systems developer Thomas Tydal.
Mälardalstrafik attributes the problems to a harsh winter requiring service on many trains, reducing capacity and leading to shorter trains during rush hours. Katarina Myrberg says: “We have mobilized resources and can already see improvements in both punctuality and more longer trains on the route.” New trains are ordered but expected in 2028.
Knivsta commuters have mixed views: one mentions “quite a lot canceled earlier,” another says “nothing to complain about,” and a third points to “too few departures.” The criticism has been conveyed to the operator, with discussions on measures ongoing.
