Transport and infrastructure

The Government decided today on certain amendments to the ban on entry into Sweden from the United Kingdom and Denmark. The amendments have been made to enable children and parents to spend time together and to facilitate certain medical transport services from Denmark. In addition, the time-limited ordinance will be extended until 31 January 2021.

Global warming continues regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change will remain the defining issue of our generation. The Government is therefore proposing investments of SEK 9.7 billion in green recovery initiatives in the Budget Bill for 2021. The Government’s proposals are based on an agreement between the government parties, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Travelling to European cities on the continent using climate-smart alternatives should be easy. The Government is therefore investing in night trains to Europe to provide greater opportunities for low-carbon travel using public transport. The Swedish Transport Administration will now be instructed to conduct a procurement procedure with the aim of establishing night train services between Malmö and Brussels, and Stockholm and Hamburg, by 1 August 2022.

It has recently been decided that eight Swedish projects will receive funding from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

On 30 June, SAS presented a plan for the recapitalisation of the company and a plan to accelerate its climate action, including the halving of emissions by 2030. The Government has the Riksdag’s mandate to participate in the recapitalisation on behalf of the Swedish State during 2020 to an amount not exceeding SEK 5 billion. The Government supports the plan that has now been put forward and the measures necessary for its realisation.

The Government proposes that the Riksdag authorise the Government to take part on behalf of the State in a recapitalisation of SAS AB (SAS) with an amount totalling SEK 5 billion at most. SAS is important to meeting society’s fundamental needs in terms of accessibility by air travel in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. This authorisation means that the Swedish State will be given a mandate to take the measures necessary to enable the State’s participation in a recapitalisation of SAS. If the Swedish State is to take part in a recapitalisation, the Government will work to ensure that SAS sets new ambitious goals to reduce emissions. Participation of the Swedish State also requires approval by the European Commission.

The Government proposes a capital injection of SEK 3 150 million to Swedavia AB in the amending budget to be presented to the Riksdag today. This capital injection will enable the Government to guarantee a state aviation network with good accessibility throughout the country.

The Government proposes that airlines be able to receive credit guarantees in 2020 amounting to a maximum of SEK 5 billion, of which SEK 1.5 billion is intended for SAS. It will also be proposed that the Swedish Export Credit Agency’s credit guarantee framework be expanded to support Swedish export companies and, by extension, the shipping industry. The proposal is based on an agreement between the Government, the Centre Party and the Liberal Party.

Some 1 700 delegates from around 140 countries – including some 80 minister-led delegations – have joined forces to reach new global goals for road safety by 2030.