An investigation is underway as to whether SL should be able to run its own buses and trains. Now Region Stockholm nevertheless decides to procure the last traffic that could be taken over under its own auspices before the investigation is even finished. It is unreasonable, the Left Party believes.
The governing parties in the Stockholm Region have decided to once again procure the bus traffic in Stockholm’s inner city, Lidingö, Järfälla, Upplands-Bro, Södertälje and Nykvarn, as well as make a new procurement of the commuter train traffic. At the same time, the region is investigating the possibility of taking over certain parts of the traffic under its own auspices. The Left Party voted no to start procurement at Tuesday’s Traffic Committee.
– It is unreasonable to procure at the same time as an investigation is underway as to whether operations should be taken over in-house. The decision closes all doors to regaining traffic under its own auspices during the current term, which is deeply unfortunate, says Anna Sehlin, opposition regional councilor for the Left Party in Region Stockholm.
In the agreement that the Left Party and the Center Coalition made after the election, which secured the Left Party’s support, there is a point that at least one traffic agreement must be taken over under its own authority during the mandate period. That point now becomes impossible to fulfill.
– We consider it a violation of our agreement to procure now. Now the question is what the Left Party and public transport travelers can get as compensation, says Anna Sehlin.
– The big problem with procurement is that we buy the pig in the sack, where a company wins for the lowest price and we have no idea what the staff’s conditions look like, how many subcontractors are used or how much they will cut staff in order to make as much profit as possible, says Anna Sehlin.
The center coalition believes that there is not enough time to take over the business on its own, as the agreements will expire in 2026. The Left Party is of a different opinion:
– If you want, you can. But if you don’t want to, of course it won’t work. It’s that simple, says Anna Sehlin.