Transport in Stockholm
Making city travel safe and sustainable
Stockholm has a long and unbroken tradition of commitment to the environment. One hundred years ago, the main goal was to create healthy residential environments. Today, the city strives to improve its environment in all areas. Traffic and transportation are a prime focus.
Stockholm’s green fleet
Traffic is the main source of hazardous emissions and noise and a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in Stockholm. The city has responded to the green transport challenge by introducing the Clean Vehicles in Stockholm programme, which aims to catalyse a market breakthrough for clean vehicles.
After 13 years, the results are impressive. Twenty percent of cars sold in Stockholm 2007 were clean vehicles. In October 2008 this figure had risen to 35%. All inner-city buses operate on biogas or ethanol. The trend remains positive.
Congestion taxes now wanted
In 2006 the city introduced congestion taxes for cars passing in and out of the downtown area during daytime. This initiative has cut annual CO₂ emissions by an estimated 30,000 tonnes. At first, a large majority of Stockholmers opposed the scheme, but once people saw the benefits they changed their minds.
Twice as many choose to cycle
Stockholm’s city authority has upgraded and built new cycle lanes in the last decade, leading to a doubling of cycling in Stockholm since 1990. The city aims to become a European cycling capital by making cycling as simple, convenient and safe as other means of transport. The cycle lane network has been extended from 675km to 760km in ten years and the current agenda focuses on further expansion, better maintenance and improved safety.
High level of public transport
Public transport has increased its share of trips to Stockholm city centre from 57% to 64% in the last decade. In the morning rush hour, this figure has climbed from 72% to 78%. These are very high numbers by international standards, but further improvement remains a top priority.
Initiatives to make it easier and more attractive to use public transport include:
- Real-time information on bus stops and platforms for trams, subway and commuter trains
- Intelligent information system
- Make real-time traffic information available on the web (www.trafiken.nu) and mobile phones and broadcast rush-hour bulletins on local radio
- Enable subscriptions to bespoke daily travel information in real time including details of personal trips
- “Arrive in time” guarantees
Low-emission transport
The public transport system in Stockholm County comprises metro, tram, train and bus services. Rail dominates in terms of the number of passengers per kilometre, and 65% of the public transport is classed as low-emission (i.e. rail traffic). All rail traffic operates on certified renewable electricity, and inner-city buses also run on renewables.