SJ is the primary passenger train operator in Sweden. A wholly state-owned company operated for-profit under market conditions, SJ operates various services across Sweden. SJ's operations include high-speed trains, intercity trains, night trains, and regional trains, with some services extending into Denmark, Norway and Germany.
SJ traces its roots back to 1856, however was established in its current form as a passenger train operator (SJ AB) in 2001, following the restructuring of Statens Järnvägar, the former government agency responsible for the Swedish railways. SJ AB also has subsidiaries such as SJ GötalandstÃÂ¥g, SJ StockholmstÃÂ¥g, and SJ Krösa, which operate procured regional services in various parts of Sweden. Since 2020 SJ Norge has operated regional services in Norway on behalf Jernbanedirektoratet. In 2025, SJ carried almost 1.5 million passengers in august 2025.
SJ AB was formed in 2001, following the restructuring of Statens Järnvägar. This restructuring divided the agency into six separate state-owned limited companies, including SJ for passenger trains, Green Cargo for freight, and Jernhusen for railway buildings. SJ's operations fall broadly into subsidised and unsubsidised services. The unsubsidised services ran until the 2011 monopoly. The subsidised trains are awarded through competitive bids. However, some trains fall in between these categories, since public transit agencies can pay SJ to allow transit pass holders access to SJ's trains.
SJ received a government bailout a few years after its creation, but has since had profit margins of up to ten percent. All train operators in Sweden pay low track access charges to the track authority, Trafikverket.
The X2 trains (operated by SJ as X 2000) launched in 1990, and are used for higher-speed services and have a top speed of 200 km/h (125 mph). Built in Sweden by Kalmar Verkstad, later ADtranz, they feature tilting technology to reduce the effects of high-speed turns. These trains serve several routes, including StockholmâÂÂGothenburg (Västra Stambanan) and StockholmâÂÂMalmö (Södra Stambanan). They have also previously served the StockholmâÂÂSundsvall, StockholmâÂÂStrömstad, StockholmâÂÂOslo, and StockholmâÂÂÃÂstersundâÂÂ(Duved) lines, with seasonal services on some of these routes. Currently, 36 X2 sets are in operation. Since 2021 the X2 fleet has been undergoing refurbishment, due for completion in 2026.
The X55 (operated by SJ as SJ 3000) is an electric multiple unit built by Bombardier introduced in 2012. It has a top speed of 200 km/h and serves various routes, often north of Stockholm, including Stockholm-ÃÂstersund-(Duved) (Mittbanan-Norra Stambanan), Stockholm-Uddevalla (Västra Stambanan and Bohusbanan), Stockholm-Gothenburg, Stockholm-Sundsvall-UmeÃÂ¥ (Ostkustbanan, Botniabanan), Gothenburg-Malmö (Västkustbanan), Stockholm-Oslo, Stockholm-Karlstad (Västra Stambanan and Värmlandsbanan/Kongsvingerbanen), and Stockholm-Falun/Mora (Dalabanan).
The X40 is a variant of the french Coradia Duplex double-decker electric multiple unit built by Alstom used for regional services, launched in 2006. It typically serves shorter routes such as Stockholm CentralâÂÂGävle Central. These trains are typically used for services that do not travel longer than 4 hours, with some exceptions like the Coast to Coast (Gothenburg-Kalmar) and Stockholm-Gothenburg via VästerÃÂ¥s. The X40 has no catering service, and is mostly composed of second-class seating, with a small first class section, although the seats do not differ between first and second. The only exception being more legroom on refurbished units. All 27 three-car units are currently undergoing refurbishment by VR FleetCare in Oulu, due to be complete in 2027. With options to refurbish two-car units later.
Many InterCity services are often operated using Rc-hauled trains, which are paired with various carriages, such as the SJ B7, or other first class, second class, and sleeper carriages. The Rc-hauled trains often also feature an onboard bistro car.
25 high-speed Zefiro Express high-speed trains (SJ X250), scheduled to enter service in 2027, will operate on routes including StockholmâÂÂMalmö, StockholmâÂÂGothenburg, and be certified for cross-border services to Denmark and Norway. The trains, with a top speed of 250 km/h, and are designed to handle running at temperatures of -40 degrees. The contract, valued at SEK 7 billion (EUR 630 million), was awarded to Bombardier (now part of Alstom) by SJ in 2021. The trains are constructed in China and finalised at the Alstom plant in Hennigsdorf, Germany. The first units started testing in 2026 in Germany, and are expected to enter service in December 2027 on the according to Petter Essén, Head of Strategic Planning at SJ.
25 CAF Civity Nordic (SJ X45), scheduled to enter service in 2027, will operate on regional routes including Stockholm-VästerÃÂ¥s-ÃÂrebro-Skövde-Gothenburg, Linköping-Norrköping-Stockholm-Arlanda-Uppsala-Gävle-Ljusdal and Kalmar-Gothenburg. The trains are designed for cold weather conditions in Sweden, and can operate with a top speed of 200 km/h. The contract, valued at EUR 300 million, was awarded to CAF by SJ in 2022, the first units were expected to arrive in Sweden for testing in 2025 and enter revenue service in 2026. The project is as of April 2026 running one year behind schedule and will be delivered in autumn 2027.
The SJ overnight train services (Swedish: SJ NattÃÂ¥g) are Rc locomotive-hauled trains with both sleeper wagons as well as standard wagons. All services except for the Stockholm-Malmö route have a bistro wagon.<br /> As of 2022 SJ has in collaboration with DSB and RDC begun to operate night train services between Sweden and Germany through Denmark. Three different locomotives are used due to compatibility issues with the electrification and signaling systems between the three countries.<br /> Within Sweden SJ Rc locomotives are used, and in Denmark DSB EA locomotives are used, and in Germany DB 101 locomotives are used.<br /> The night-trains operate on the following lines:
The InterCity services are Rc-hauled trains with standard-seating carriages in both first and second class. There is always a bistro car available in the trainset.
Lines with InterCity service:
Most of the SJ Regional network was concentrated in the area around lake Mälaren. Operated with either Rc-hauled trainsets, X12/X14 or X40 EMUs. These trains have no catering on board. The X40 is equipped with free 4G WiFi. Both first and second-class are usually offered. Most of this network has been incorporated into the new MälartÃÂ¥g franchise, although some services remain outside of it.
In Feb 2026, Västtrafik, Hallandstrafiken and Jönköpings Länstrafik awarded SJ an 11-year contract to continue operating the VästtÃÂ¥gen regional train system from 12 December 2027.
Routes listed below are the satellite routes which are not subject to franchising.
SJ operate a couple of regional rail franchises held by public transport authorities around the country. The most significant of these are MälartÃÂ¥g and VästtÃÂ¥gen serving the Mälaren valley and the region of West Götaland respectively. SJ AB also started operating the ÃÂresundstÃÂ¥g franchise for the 2020 timetable, taking over from Transdev. But due to serious inconsistencies between partners the contract will be terminated as of December 2022 where Transdev will take over again.
MTR took over the MälartÃÂ¥g contract in December 2021.
The stretch Malmö Central to Copenhagen Central is operated 50/50 alongside Danish State Railways (DSB) and Copenhagen to ÃÂsterport/NivÃÂ¥ by DSB only.
The initial contract for the MälartÃÂ¥g franchise states that the operator may use their own fleet [of X12, X40 and X50 stock] until the delivery of ER1 Stadler Dosto 200 EMUs is completed. The UpptÃÂ¥get franchise will be merged into MälartÃÂ¥g onwards from the 2022 timetable, meaning that services from Gävle gain additional stations inherited from the termination of the UpptÃÂ¥get franchise.
SJ higher speed trains (Swedish: SJ SnabbtÃÂ¥g) are X2 or X55 trains operating on the main routes in Sweden. The trains are equipped with WiFi and have a bistro.
Stops at Arlanda and Uppsala are for boarding northbound or alighting southbound respectively, although passengers with railcards are exempted from this rule. Some services do also allow both boarding and alighting at Arlanda and Uppsala respectively.
On 7 June 2020, SJ Norge (trading as SJ NORD) commenced operating services on the Trøndelag Commuter Rail, as well as the MerÃÂ¥ker, Røros, Rauma, Nordland, the Saltpendel Line and the Dovre Regional Line under a 10-year contract with the Norwegian Railway Directorate.
SJ operates trains owned by Norske Tog (Norwegian Trains) and these are:
The rail routes SJ Norge operate are:
Ticket prices on SJ trains vary, similarly to airfares, with the lowest prices typically available when booking ahead. SJ offers different ticket categories, such as non-rebookable and refundable tickets, each with varying levels of flexibility. Additionally, there are certain discounts for seniors, students, youths, and families.
In September 2023, SJ removed its ticket machines from stations. The machines were phased out due to a decline in customer usage and the machines' reliance on older technology. SJ directs passengers to purchase tickets via their website, the SJ app, or through authorised agents. It is not possible to buy tickets on board SJ's trains. Additionally, since September 2009, passengers are required to carry an identity document while traveling on SJ trains.