Response to interpellation 2025/26:126 on support for Gotland residents after increased ticket prices
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
KD argues that a sustainable transport system is a prerequisite for the whole of Sweden to function 1. KD emphasizes that the state allocates funds so that Trafikverket shall be responsible for agreements on scheduled shipping to Gotland where price caps already exist 1. KD argues that the new agreement after 2027 will be less price-sensitive to fuel prices 2 3 and that Trafikverket is now conducting an in-depth analysis of price development and pricing 1 2 3 4. V argues that high ferry prices lead to Gotlanders becoming isolated 5 and hit pensioners, families, and children's and youth sports hard 6. V argues that the Gotland traffic should be classified as state infrastructure with road prices 5 6. V argues that the state compensation in 2023 was insufficient 7 and that the price cap construction rarely applies in practice due to dynamic pricing 7. V considers that the conditions for a basic availability of good quality are not met because the traffic lacks frequent trips, short travel times, and low, predictable prices 6. V argues that the prices are too high and that a national initiative is required to press them down 6. V suggests that Sweden should follow examples from Norway and Denmark by preparing for road prices in ferry traffic to create equality across the country 6.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! Malin Östh has asked me if I intend to compensate the people of Gotland for increased ticket prices, what my position is on Region Gotland's report on ferry costs, what dialogues are being held to ensure that the ferry traffic remains economically and socially sustainable until the new ferry agreement enters into force, how I intend to ensure that ticket prices are kept reasonable and stable during upcoming contract periods, and whether I consider that the price cap construction functions as intended.
First and foremost, I would like to thank Malin Östh and others for their commitment to the ferry connections to and from Gotland. As Malin Östh is aware, I debated related issues in the chamber with Hanna Westerén on November 6 this year.
Even this time, I want to begin by establishing that a well-functioning, long-term sustainable and reliable transport system, where all modes of transport are developed and contribute to the transport policy goals, is a prerequisite for the whole of Sweden to function. The conditions for living, residing and working in the entire country shall be strengthened. It is therefore important with good accessibility between the country's different parts. This is a fundamental starting point for the government's transport policy, and it deserves to be repeated.
I also want to emphasize once again that the state's commitment to the ferry traffic to and from Gotland is a clear expression of the need for good accessibility. It is obviously important that there are good conditions for Gotlanders and the business community on Gotland to carry out necessary journeys and transports. Funds are therefore allocated in the state budget so that Trafikverket can enter into and be responsible for the state's agreements on scheduled shipping to Gotland. In that agreement, there is already today a price cap for Gotlanders and a price cap for freight to and from Gotland.
During the period that Malin Östh refers to, there has been relatively high inflation and high fuel prices, which has meant that, according to the current agreement, there has been room for increases in the ceiling prices. The new ceiling prices will not be affected by fuel price changes but only by inflation. I will, of course, follow the development of the prices during the new agreement.
Regarding the current agreement, I would like to remind what I said when I debated the issue with Hanna Westerén, namely that Trafikverket, among other things in light of the investigations that Region Gotland has produced, is now conducting an in-depth follow-up of the agreement with Destination Gotland regarding price development and pricing. I see this as an important measure, not least for the transparency regarding the prices for Gotlandstrafiken. I will, of course, be informed of the result of the follow-up as soon as it is completed.
Malin Östh (V)
Madam Speaker! Thank you to the Minister for the answer, even though I must state that I did not receive answers to so many of my questions! I pose four very specific questions in the interpellation that the Minister does not address in his answer, so I hope that we can come to clear up these question marks during the debate.
The interpellation is therefore about the Gotland transport and the dramatic price increase that has occurred in the ferry traffic. High ferry prices dig large holes in people's wallets and also lead to a situation where the people of Gotland become increasingly isolated on the island. This is serious and completely unacceptable.
This interpellation follows a written question that I submitted in October. I then asked what the Minister and the Government intend to do to press down high ferry prices and to secure actual accessibility to and from Gotland.
The answer I then received from the Minister actually made me quite concerned. The Minister answered that fuel prices have gone down, and with them, the prices in the ferry traffic have also been lowered. So the Minister wrote and concluded by stating that no measures therefore need to be taken. The answer is available to read on the Riksdag's website for anyone who so wishes.
I must say that I was somewhat shocked by that answer, partly because it shows such a lack of understanding of how this actually hits and affects Gotland and the people of Gotland, and partly due to the lack of accountability. It is, after all, the country's Minister for Infrastructure, the highest responsible minister, who answers in that way. I find it remarkable, and that is why this specific interpellation follows on that question.
The ferry traffic is Gotland's highway to the mainland. It is a saying that recurs and is repeated, but it is because it is true: The ferry traffic is Gotland's highway to the mainland. But for this highway to be able to function, three things need to be in place: The ferry traffic must be built on frequent trips, short travel times, and low prices. All these three things must be in place simultaneously for it to function. A sustainable, long-term solution must be put in place.
From Vänsterpartiet, we have been clear for a long time. We say: Stop classifying Gotland transport as unprofitable public transport and instead classify it as state infrastructure and introduce road prices! That is what is the long-term sustainable solution.
We continue to think this, but the issue also needs to be solved in the short term, here and now, because it is here and now that we have high ferry prices. It is also for that reason that I pose a question to the Minister concerning compensation. If I repeat the question, perhaps the Minister could elaborate on his answers a little bit.
The question is: Does the Minister intend to take measures to compensate the residents of Gotland for the increased ticket prices in order to address the situation that I described earlier, namely that the residents of Gotland are becoming increasingly isolated on the island?
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! The freight and ticket prices for ferry traffic to and from Gotland have increased over several years and most and foremost as a consequence of increased fuel prices. That is why, in my response, Madam Speaker, I refer to the upcoming agreement that enters into force after 2027.
We are still talking about the current agreement, which runs from 2017 to 2027. It has not contained mechanisms that have dampened costs when fuel prices go up. The new agreement will do that. There will also be a price cap for Gotlanders in the new agreement.
As I said, Trafikverket has now initiated an in-depth analysis, and this is something that was started after Malin Östh submitted the written question she refers to. This is taking place, among other things, against the background of the investigation that Region Gotland has produced, and it aims to be an in-depth analysis of the agreement with Destination Gotland regarding price development and pricing. This is an important measure both to strengthen transparency and to obtain an in-depth analysis of what the price development looks like.
It is of course important with an established connection between Gotland and the mainland. It is important for the people of Gotland. It is important for Sweden in terms of food production and many different aspects. I believe we share that view, and I am pleased with the commitment that the member shows.
At the same time, it is a pressured situation for households. I have great respect for that. Therefore, it is important that this analysis is now carried out. The government is also implementing other reforms aimed at facilitating the economy for households and easing the pressure that many live under.
The state's commitment to and responsibility for the entire country's transport supply is strong, and it remains. This applies to all modes of transport. The state finances, via the agreement with Trafikverket Gotlandstrafiken, approximately half a billion – 498 million kronor – per year to ensure a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable ferry traffic to and from Gotland. Gotlandstrafiken receives about half of the appropriation for the state's procured transport.
Based on this, it is of course reasonable that an in-depth analysis is now being conducted. I will follow it very closely. I will myself visit Gotland in a few weeks to take part of the perspectives that exist and make visits both to the County Governor and Destination Gotland together with Trafikverket, which currently has the work underway to deepen the analysis regarding price development and pricing.
There may certainly be reasons to return to the questions the member poses in due course. However, I do not wish to anticipate the work that the contracting party responsible for the follow-up of the agreement – the authority Trafikverket – has indicated it is now carrying out in the form of an in-depth analysis. That work is ongoing, Madam Speaker.
Malin Östh (V)
Madam Speaker! It is, unfortunately, far from the first time that high ferry prices have been debated in this chamber. It has been debated for many years, and it did not start in 2023 but has been discussed for a long time before that. It remains a very pressing and current issue.
That this is allowed to continue rolling on without us getting a lasting solution in place is a major failure for national politics. We need to see it, put words to it, and acknowledge it.
The Minister has in a previous answer to questions regarding the Gotland transport emphasized precisely that the government, following a decision in 2023, allocated 21 million as financial compensation for high ferry prices, with the ambition to mitigate the price increases. One should, however, be aware of and keep in mind that 21 million was very far from the 250 million that Region Gotland requested in annual – note annual – financial compensation.
The 21 million did not go far either. They lasted for half a year, and then these funds were exhausted. For Vänsterpartiet, it is completely obvious that the state economic compensation decided in 2023 was insufficient and that additional compensation must be put in place urgently. I am therefore a bit worried that the Minister refers to the fact that an investigation is ongoing. I understand and hear what the Minister says, but this must happen urgently.
That is also why we from Vänsterpartiet have included 250 million for Gotlandstrafiken for next year, i.e., for 2026. We have also, during the current year, budgeted in line with what Region Gotland has requested. This is still missing in the government's budget, but I hope that it will be put in place. It is truly needed.
Madam Speaker! Regarding the new ferry agreement, which the Minister touched upon in his latest speech, I do not have the same confidence that the Minister expresses regarding it. I am not at all convinced that it will be the solution that is needed, unfortunately.
It is still unclear what the price will land on. In a direct question to Trafikverket, it has been said that one can achieve a reduction of almost 100 kronor. That is insufficient. It will not solve the problem we face today.
Here also comes the question of the price cap construction. The price cap does not come with any guarantees whatsoever. In reality, something happens when the price cap meets the dynamic pricing that exists in Gotlandstrafiken, i.e., in the ferry traffic. The price varies significantly depending on where on the ferry one sits – i.e., what type of ticket one manages to get. It also varies depending on what time and day one travels.
People from Gotland travel just as the Minister, I, and everyone else travels. One travels when one can and when one must – when one needs to – of course. The price ceiling therefore becomes something that rarely applies in practice. I think this shows that the price does not only need to be low but also must be predictable.
I would like to repeat one more of my questions, which the Minister may perhaps comment on: Does the Minister consider that the price cap structure is functioning as intended?
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! It is among other things that Trafikverket is looking at in the in-depth analysis where the work is now ongoing. It is not the first time that this has been discussed. Malin Östh is completely right in this.
Before the new agreement was to begin being negotiated, Trafikverket received a mandate from the previous government in July 2020 to analyze alternative models for the future ferry traffic to and from Gotland. One of the parts that was looked at was a model proposed by Trafikverket where the state would own the ships and outsource the operation, which was assessed as potentially being able to provide increased competition and potentially lower costs. They were therefore looking at and proposing state tonnage. That model was, however, not particularly well received, so the previous government shelved it. This was the start of the work on the new agreement that will apply from 2027 onwards.
I have noted that the Director General of the Transport Administration has again opened up for looking at different alternative models. It is, of course, something that is important to have a dialogue about. Against the background that this was not well received by all Gotlanders the last time it was up – and the investigation proposal was indeed dropped and filed away – I do not, however, want to point out alternative models in the chamber today before I have had my own conversation with representatives for Gotland.
During the years I have been Minister for Infrastructure, we have of course had reason to return to the issue, and I will do so again in December when I visit Gotland once more.
This is, of course, open for discussion, but I believe it is important to say today that the new agreement that has been reached is intended to be less price-sensitive to high fuel costs and sharp increases in fuel prices – something we see today that the situation has been generated largely by. Therefore, the assignment that Trafikverket has decided on internally – to now review price development and pricing – is of course urgent, not least against the background of the examples the member mentions and the work that Region Gotland has done.
Malin Östh (V)
Madam Speaker! I thank the Minister for the debate! This is my final speech today – but not on the issue, for which I hope I will return.
I want to say that the testimonies from Gotland about how high the ferry prices are hitting are very numerous. Here is the pensioner who cannot afford to visit her children and grandchildren once a month as she had wished, but can only travel maximum once a quarter. Here is the son who cannot be there for his sick father in the way he had wanted. Here is also children's and youth sports on Gotland, which cannot participate in cups and leagues and meet other teams in the way they had wanted, because the ferry prices are too high. Here are also, above all, far too many Gotlanders who cannot afford to travel at all. I hope we can agree that it cannot continue like this.
I hope that we can also agree that the conditions to ensure a basic availability of good quality for Gotland are not met today. These conditions are not met until the ferry traffic is based on frequent trips, short travel times, and low, predictable prices. That is where we must get to.
I hope that we can also agree that the prices today are too high and that a national initiative must urgently be launched to push the prices down. If we agree on that problem, we at least have a platform to start from. A compensation is a solution in the short perspective, but in the longer perspective, Sweden must look at its neighboring countries. Look at Norway and Denmark and learn from them, follow their example and begin a preparation for road prices in the ferry traffic! Only then will we achieve an equivalence across the country and a functioning actual accessibility to and from Gotland.
Infrastruktur- och bostadsministern Andreas Carlson (KD)
Madam Speaker! I thank Malin Östh for submitting this interpellation so that we were given the opportunity to debate it today.
The answer I have given obviously points much to the work that Trafikverket carries out, and as the responsible party for the agreement one has with Destination Gotland and Gotlandstrafiken, one is now conducting an in-depth analysis of both price development and pricing. I will follow this work closely and carefully and, when I visit Gotland in a few weeks, obviously take note of the stories that have already reached me and which Malin Östh also expresses here today.
I have great respect and understanding for the fact that the powerful price increase affects the lives of many. Against this background, it is welcome that Trafikverket conducts an in-depth analysis of the price development and the pricing in Gotlandstrafiken.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.