Stockholm's Public Transport Sees Surge in Compliance Amid Increased Enforcement
Nearly 700,000 people daily utilize Stockholm's comprehensive public transport system, including subways, buses, commuter trains, ferryboats, and local trains. Recent trends indicate a significant decline in fare evasion, with the percentage of travelers without valid tickets decreasing from approximately 3% in 2022 to a notable 2.3% in 2023. This change in behavior has resulted in an impressive uptick in ticket revenue, with an additional 42 million kronor earned in 2024 due to fewer instances of fare evasion.
Anton Fendert, a representative from SL, the public transport authority, attributes this positive trend to their efforts to make compliance easier for passengers. Enhancements such as allowing travelers to tap their bank cards at barriers have simplified the ticketing process. Furthermore, SL has refrained from increasing fares for vulnerable groups, including seniors, students, and families with children. The authority has also ramped up ticket checks, which are conducted by both uniformed and plainclothes inspectors to ensure a broad coverage of enforcement.
Fendert elaborates, "We conduct checks in the busiest areas and on the most utilized modes of transport. However, it is essential for our operations to be visible across all transport modes to deter fare evasion effectively."
For those caught traveling without a valid ticket, the fines can reach up to 1,850 kronor, in addition to the cost of a single ticket at 43 kronor for adults.
Since mid-December, a pilot project introducing open barrier lines has been put into action at the Näckrosen subway station in Solna. An evaluation of this project is underway, expected to be completed by summer, to assess its impact on fare compliance and overall passenger experience. Fendert expresses caution about expanding this initiative, stating, "It is crucial to allocate funds where they will benefit travelers the most, primarily by enhancing service offerings."
Post-COVID-19, the number of passengers has gradually increased. From a staggering 20% loss in ridership compared to pre-pandemic levels, Stockholm's transport system has now rebounded to approximately 85% of its former capacity. Despite this recovery, Fendert notes a troubling increase in car use among the public, overshadowing the growth in public transport utilization.
The opposition party, Moderaterna, is commending the ongoing efforts to strengthen ticket checks and the convenience of digital payment options. However, opposition regional councilor Kristoffer Tamsons has expressed disappointment over the regional administration's resistance to expanding open barriers to combat fare evasion further.
Public transport in the Stockholm region operates partly through regional taxes and ticket sale revenues, with roughly 50% of its financing coming from the tax funding. This year's budget for public transport amounts to 137 billion kronor, indicating a significant commitment to maintaining and enhancing the infrastructure critical to the region's mobility.
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