Centerpartiet has partially reversed its opposition to Uppsala's tram project, now favoring construction of half the route rather than canceling it entirely. The decision stems from estimated cancellation costs of 3.8 to 4.2 billion kronor. Oppositionsråd Ehsan Nasari (C) stated that scrapping the whole project is no longer economically defensible.
Centerpartiet, previously opposed to Uppsala's tram project, has now partially shifted its position. The party wants to build the section from Gottsunda to Uppsala Central Station but scrap the planned extension to Bergsbrunna. "We think there are only bad alternatives here," said Ehsan Nasari (C), oppositionsråd. "We want to build the stretches where there is already a capacity need, such as between Gottsunda and Uppsala C."
An external consultancy firm, commissioned by the municipality, estimated that stopping the project now would cost Uppsala between 3.8 and 4.2 billion kronor. Preparatory work has so far cost about 1.3 billion kronor under the ruling coalition of Socialdemokraterna, Vänsterpartiet, and Miljöpartiet. Kommunstyrelsens ordförande Erik Pelling (S) previously stated: "Uppsala must function even as we grow. We need public transport that can handle more passengers."
Moderaterna stands firm on opposing the entire project. "This clearly shows that Moderaterna is the only guarantee for a power shift in Uppsala this autumn. And our no to the tram stands firm," wrote oppositionsråd Therez Almerfors (M). Stefan Hanna from Utvecklingspartiet Demokraterna criticized Centerpartiet's turnaround: "It is laughable that they do not support the tram to Södra station."
The ruling parties Socialdemokraterna, Miljöpartiet, and Vänsterpartiet support the full project, while Moderaterna, Sverigedemokraterna, Kristdemokraterna, and Utvecklingspartiet Demokraterna oppose it.
