Swedish train operator looking to muscle in on Danish rails

SJ to invest billions into new trains in the coming years

The Swedes are coming! Not the words most Danes like to hear, particularly given some of the more malevolent annals of Nordic history.

But nevertheless, Danish rail operator DSB will be looking over its shoulder to the north in coming years as Swedish train operator SJ looks to heat up the competition on the rails in Denmark.

SJ has revealed plans that include a 7.5 billion kroner investment in new passenger trains in the coming years – trains it wants initially to run between Copenhagen and Funen and then to Jutland later on.

“When our rolling stock is in place in two to three years, we will be ready to drive from Copenhagen to Odense and later to Aarhus once the track is electrified all the way,” Crister Fritzson, the head of SJ, told DR Nyheder.

READ MORE: All victims of Danish train disaster identified

Bring it on!
SJ, which has enjoyed 5-7 percent increases in passenger numbers in recent years, plans to present its plans to the Swedish Parliament next week.

Experts contend that the move may coerce the Danish government into increasing funding earmarked for DSB in the future, but the Danish rail operator doesn’t seem overly concerned, stating that it will still have the lion’s share of departures between Copenhagen and Odense.

In contrast to SJ, DSB has seen a decline in passenger numbers recently.

TOP STORIES

  • Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    Cross-border moves on the rise in the Øresund region

    The number of relocations across the Øresund Region is rising. As highlighted by 2023 numbers, Sweden benefits from a growing interest, especially among younger generations.

  • Tunø: An island running out of time

    Tunø: An island running out of time

    The island of Tunø harbors a community of 74 adults and one child. There are no cars and only one connection to the rest of the world. Now, climate change threatens it

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Here Comes The Sun…

    Here Comes The Sun…

    I escaped from Denmark this winter to the south of France, where I was convinced that the sunshine would inspire me to write this year’s Crazy Christmas comedy show.

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rhymes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs