Transport and infrastructure

Directly after the awful terror attack in Stockholm on 7 April 2017, Minister for Infrastructure Anna Johansson took the initiative to hold a meeting at the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation to discuss with representatives of relevant government agencies, the automotive industry, the transport sector, trade union organisations, the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, and large municipalities how we can work together to reduce the risk of vehicles being hijacked and used in terror attacks. One proposal raised at the meeting concerned the use of geofencing.

Martin Lundstedt has been President and CEO of the Volvo Group since 2015. He holds an MSc in Engineering and has previously served as CEO of Scania. Since the beginning of this year, he has also been a member of the National Innovation Council. He is passionate about continuously improving and developing businesses and creating system solutions.

The Government has decided to tighten and strengthen border controls and to phase out ID checks across the Öresund strait.

The Government has adopted an ordinance on trials of self-driving vehicles. The ordinance introduces the requirement of a permit to conduct trials of self-driving vehicles. The Swedish Transport Agency will examine matters concerning permits and will have a mandate to grant a permit with conditions.

Aviation is of great importance to Sweden’s economy and competitiveness. It plays an important role in helping to meet the needs of people and the business sector for long-distance domestic and international travel and transport. Aviation is part of the transport system, which means that it must develop in collaboration with other modes of transport to create an efficient and sustainable transport system. The aviation strategy will help make Sweden a socially, environmentally and economically more sustainable society.

The Government has adopted 'A Swedish aviation strategy – for aviation's role in the transport system of tomorrow'. The aviation strategy is a policy document, a platform that clarifies the Government's overall view of aviation's role in the transport system and also presents the Government's priorities in seven different areas on the continued work to develop the conditions for Swedish aviation.

Stockholm, 31 January 2017. Check against delivery.

The Government has adopted an ordinance entitling carriers to apply for compensation for costs incurred as a result of the Government’s regulations on ID checks. Compensation will be paid for reasonable costs incurred by bus, train or passenger ship operators for carrying out ID checks. Costs must be verifiable. Applications for compensation will be examined by the Swedish Transport Administration and will be paid in arrears after the expiry of a period of validity for ID checks.

In the infrastructure bill, Infrastructure for the future – innovative solutions for strengthened competitiveness and sustainable development (Govt Bill 2016/17:21), the Government proposes the direction and financial frameworks for investments in transport infrastructure for 2018–2029. The financial framework is proposed to amount to SEK 622.5 billion, which is just over SEK 100 billion more than the current plan. This meansthat the Government is making a major investment in operation and maintenance, butalso that new investments will be possible.

The Government has adopted the infrastructure bill ‘Infrastructure for the future – innovative solutions for strengthened competitiveness and sustainable development’. The bill contains the direction and financial frameworks for investments in transport infrastructure for the planning period 2018–2029. The proposals in the bill will enable us to achieve the goals of a transition to a fossil-free welfare state, a Sweden that stands together, an increase in housing construction and improved conditions for business.