Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 27, Alstom has secured a new contract from rail operator VR to provide maintenance services for the full fleet of 62 Mälartåg commuter trains in Sweden. The agreement, which may extend up to 10 years, is scheduled to start in December 2026, with preparations for the transition beginning soon.

The contract will use Alstom’s Maintenance Performance Centre in the Nordic region to coordinate maintenance for various train fleets.

Maintenance operations will be conducted across multiple facilities, including Mälartåg workshops in Eskilstuna, Tillberga, and Stockholm, as well as Alstom’s dedicated maintenance site in Västerås. According to the company, its maintenance procedures received the highest evaluation in the tender process.

The contract will leverage Alstom’s Maintenance Performance Centre in the Nordic region, which coordinates maintenance expertise and best practices across multiple train fleets. The centre is designed to support collaboration and further development of maintenance processes in the region.

Haris Habul, VR trains division director, said: “Our shared goal is for passengers to experience safe and punctual service. By combining our operational experience with Alstom’s maintenance expertise, we ensure high availability and quality in Mälardalen’s rail traffic.”

Alstom has supplied over 1,000 trains to the Swedish rail sector and manages several other maintenance agreements in the country. The company is also leading the deployment of the European Railway Traffic Management System (ERTMS) signalling system in Sweden, covering both onboard units and rail infrastructure.

Mikael Granberg, Alstom Sweden rolling stock maintenance director, said: “With the combination of Mälartåg’s state-of-the-art workshop in Eskilstuna and our own recently expanded facility in Västerås, we can offer the market strong and robust maintenance solutions for all types of rolling stock. We are very pleased with the trust placed in us by Mälartåg and, together with VR, we are confident in our ability to contribute to efficient and sustainable rail traffic in the region.”

Earlier this week, Eurostar confirmed a €2 billion (€2.32 billion) investment in up to 50 Avelia Horizon double-decker high-speed trains from Alstom. The deal includes an initial order of 30 trains, with an option for 20 more, highlighting Alstom’s continued role in delivering advanced rail solutions across Europe.

The contract with VR demonstrates Alstom’s focus on long-term, high-quality maintenance services and its commitment to supporting safe, reliable, and sustainable rail operations. By combining modern workshop facilities, coordinated maintenance expertise, and advanced signalling technologies, Alstom aims to ensure optimal fleet availability and operational efficiency for commuter and high-speed rail networks in Sweden and beyond.