Nobina Signs New Long-term Contract for Rail Replacement Services with VR Mälartåg
Nobina has signed a new agreement with VR to deliver both planned and emergency rail replacement services for Mälartåg across the Mälardalen region. The new contract will commence in December 2026 and runs for up to ten years. The partnership represents a deepening of the collaboration between Nobina and VR, with a continued focus on reliability, scalability, and passenger information.
The assignment includes full responsibility for replacement traffic in connection with both planned track maintenance and unforeseen disruptions in rail operations. The solution covers the entire geographical area of Mälartåg and is based on an established collaboration model for preparedness, operational coordination, and rapid resource deployment, combined with a strong emphasis on real-time passenger information—a model that has proven successful in previous partnerships.
“We are very pleased with the continued trust from VR. Bus replacement services are a critical part of the travel experience when unexpected disruptions occur, and through this agreement we have the opportunity to build a robust, passenger-focused delivery together over the long term,” says Martin Pagrotsky, MD of Nobina Sweden.
VR also highlights the established collaboration and views the next phase positively:
“We already have a successful partnership with Nobina regarding replacement services for Norrtåg, which VR operates in northern Sweden. Therefore, it feels reassuring that Nobina will also manage replacement services for Mälartåg when we take over that operation later this year,” says Haris Habul, Train Division Director at VR Sweden.