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Next year, the government will set aside an additional SEK 2 billion to support regional bus and train traffic. Skånetrafiken may count on 260 million SEK, but the reduction in traffic may lead to less support for Skåne.
– I do not rule out that large savings have consequences, says Transport Minister Tomas Eneroth (S).
The Minister of Infrastructure, Tomas Eneroth (S), does not rule out that Skånetrafiken has reduced traffic volumes will have consequences. Therefore, the new traffic support that the government promises for regional public transport may be reduced for Skåne.
The government has already promised in the past Swedish regions an additional support of three billion crowns for the decrease in public transport that occurred in April, May and June. Skånetrafiken expected to receive a supplement of SEK 360 million in this way to cover a meager cash flow.
Since SKR, the municipalities and regions of Sweden, have requested additional state funds, it is now clear that such a supplement will be included in the state budget for 2021. Two new billions of public transport will be added to the previous three billion.
According to Tomas Eneroth, this support will be important for Skånetrafiken, SL, Västtrafik and other transport companies in the county to be able to have a dense traffic and a relatively low occupancy of buses and trains.
– Although we continue to advise people to avoid public transport, many have no choice but to go to work or study. This new support is the state’s way of helping regions maintain public transportation during the corona pandemic as well, says Tomas Eneroth.
– It is important to take frequent trips to reduce the risk of spreading the infection.
Tomas Eneroth says, however he became concerned when told that Skånetrafiken had reduced the frequency of various commuter bus and train lines. He believes that the state support that has been promised should make Scanian regional politicians opt for a different line on public transport.
– There’s nothing wrong with redistributing traffic, but reducing traffic volumes worries me because it increases the risk of spreading infections, he says.
– Of course, it is the Skåne Region that is responsible for public transport in Skåne. If Skånetrafiken turns out to achieve big savings, I am not ruling out that it could have consequences.
But in Skåne, the ruling politicians have not been confident of new money. And the money promised earlier has not yet been paid?
– The public transport itself requested that the payment period of the previously promised support be until June 30. That money will soon come through the Swedish Transport Administration, says Tomas Eneroth.
SKR has previously estimated that the regions’ losses due to reduced ticket sales in relation to the pandemic are between SEK 9-10 billion. Swedish regions lose around 1 billion crowns a month because previously loyal travelers now avoid public transport and because free rides are increasing among those still traveling by bus or train.
Ticket revenue for Skånetrafiken and Västtrafik is expected to be 1.1 billion lower this year than last year. Greater Stockholm’s local transport is expected to lose four billion. The promised state aid covers just over half of these income losses.
– This is welcome money, but it is not enough, says Carina Zachau (M), chair of the public transport committee in the Skåne region, who thinks that the Minister of Infrastructure is unfair if it withholds support money for passengers from Scanian buses and trains.
– If he thinks we should drive empty buses in the middle of the day and on some night trips, it’s up to him. The government has not yet told us how much money Skåne is making out of the original four billion for public transport.
– Make sure you pay the money so that later we can have a more in-depth discussion about our traffic volume, says Carina Zachau.
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