Swedish train and public transport system operators today struggled with more delays and cancellations as a result of conditions during what has been dubbed the worst winter since 1986, dpa cited the head of the train operator SJ as saying. SJ chief executive Jan Forsberg told journalists that rail operations were severely affected by the combination of "a lot of snow, low temperatures and high humidity." This combination of weather created huge amounts of ice under each train "some 20, 30 tons that take four to eight hours to thaw" and damaged sensitive systems, he said. The entire Scandinavian country is blanketed with snow, ranging from some 10 centimetres to over 75 centimetres or more in the north, according to the national weather service SMHI. Forsberg said SMHI had reported that especially the southern parts of the country had experienced the coldest winter since the mid 1980s. Snow that has fallen since mid-December and has piled up in most areas, with some snow drifting into rail switches where it has formed ice. The National Rail Administration, which is in charge of maintaining tracks and clearing the rail switches said cost-saving measures has meant it has had to cut back on staff normally designated to clear snow. "The Swedish train service system is stretched and vulnerable to any kind of disturbance," Forsberg said, adding that the company had for years asked for more funds from the government. Communications Minsiter Asa Torstensson on Monday said conditions were "exceptional" and "the trains should operate under normal winter conditions." SJ has been criticized for failing to keep stranded passengers informed of delays. Forsberg conceded improvements could be made. Commuters in the greater Stockholm area were advised on Monday to work from home if possible as some underground routes were closed, leaving passengers stranded. Commuter trains, trams and buses also experienced delays in the west-coast city of Gothenburg.
