Train Services in Northern Sweden Halted Due to Copper Thefts
Ongoing copper thefts lead to significant train service disruptions in northern Sweden.
Key Points
- • Train services on the Botniabanan line are suspended due to copper thefts.
- • Initially scheduled to resume on Sunday, services are now delayed.
- • At least 12 transformer sites have been affected by the thefts.
- • Trafikverket aims to restore service by Monday at noon.
Train operations on the Botniabanan line in northern Sweden have been suspended due to ongoing copper thefts that have critically impacted multiple transformer stations. Since early Friday morning, services have been disrupted at no fewer than 12 sites, prompting a reevaluation of restoration timelines by Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Administration.
Initially, there was hope to resume train services by Sunday noon. However, the discovery of additional potential theft sites has forced Trafikverket to delay these plans. According to Bengt Olsson, press chief at Trafikverket, the situation has escalated, complicating efforts to restore power to the affected areas. The agency is currently working closely with the police to inspect these sites and install necessary replacement parts.
Trafikverket is now aiming for a potential restart of train services by Monday at noon, emphasizing the serious implications of these thefts on local infrastructure and public transportation. The direct impact on commuters and freight traffic remains significant, underscoring ongoing concerns regarding copper theft in the region.