In Sweden, the Go-Ahead Group (owned by Kinetic) and ComfortDelGro have been awarded a contract by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm to operate and maintain the Stockholm Metro network, known as the Tunnelbana.
The contract lasts for 11 years and starts in May 2025, connecting Stockholm to other regions across three lines comprising 100 stations, six depots and 106 kilometres of track.
The new joint venture between the two global bus operators will see Connecting Stockholm owned 55 per cent by Go-Ahead and 45 per cent by ComfortDelGro.
Go-Ahead is already the owner of the UK’s largest rail network in Govia Thameslink Railway as well as the largest bus operator in London, while ComfortDelGro’s Singapore-listed subsidiary SBS Transit runs some of the world’s most reliable and punctual metro rail operations.
Under the contract’s terms, Connecting Stockholm will be responsible for customer service, the planning and delivery of rail services, fleet and stations maintenance, as well as depot facilities.
Over the course of the contract, Stockholm’s subway will undergo several major changes – including extensions of the city’s blue line to the municipality Nacka east of Stockholm, and of the green line to Arenastaden, north of Stockholm.
“We’re delighted to be offered the opportunity to serve the people of Stockholm,” Go-Ahead Group Rail CEO Patrick Verwer says.
“This has been a well-run tender process by the Traffic Committee in Region Stockholm and, together with ComfortDelGro, we look forward to working in partnership with them to deliver our plans over the next 11 years.
“Go-Ahead is a successful British company with huge experience in operating busy, complex urban transport networks. This is an exciting contract, and it underlines our ambition to expand in rail operation.”
ComfortDelGro’s managing director and group CEO Cheng Siak Kian says the brand is delighted to partner with Go-Ahead to operate the Stockholm Metro System.
“Together, we can look forward to providing a safe, reliable and positive commuter experience to the people of Stockholm,” Kian says.