​Sweden planned to build high-speed lines where trains could travel at speeds of 320 km/h, but the new government in Stockholm decided it was best to upgrade the existing network and direct the funds to where they are most needed.

Sweden has been considering high-speed lines for several years, feasibility studies have been carried out, and some estimates have indicated a cost of $28 billion (+/- $5 billion) for a Y-shaped network connecting Stockholm to Gothenburg and Malmö.

In 2014, plans to create a high-speed network were presented for the first time. In recent months, it was concluded that the investment would be too high and that the money would be better directed to the already existing network, as well as to the modernization of roads and the installation of charging stations for electric vehicles.

The decision to abandon the construction of high-speed lines was also motivated by the fact that there are areas that needed to be repaired a long time ago.

The fastest Swedish trains reach a speed of 200 km/h. Almost all plans to modernize some sections for a speed of 250 km/h were abandoned.

Trains are already fast in Sweden: Stockholm to Malmö is 597 km and takes less than 4.5 hours.

Gothenburg to Malmö is 306 km, and the journey takes 2 hours 35 minutes.

From Stockholm to Gothenburg, the road takes about three hours, which is not bad for 455 km.

Sources: International Railway Journal. local.se

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