Västtrafik firms up order for 35 more Alstom X80 trains, taking total to 80
Västtrafik has ordered 35 more Alstom X80 trains under an option worth about €350 million, lifting the Västra Götaland transport company’s order for the Avelia Stream Nordic model to 80.
Alstom announced the order on 29 September 2026 and will book it in the second quarter of its 2026/27 financial year. The 35 units come from an option in the existing frame contract. They are therefore the same model as the 45 trains Västtrafik ordered earlier.
Regional approval came in November 2025
The region cleared the purchase itself almost 11 months ago. On 4 November 2025, the regional council of Västra Götaland allowed Västtrafik to buy 35 new trains at a total cost of SEK 4 billion. Västtrafik said then that its contract with Alstom gave it the right to add more X80 units. It added that a single model brings advantages in operation and maintenance.
The first X80 trains began carrying passengers on 11 May 2026, about six months after that approval. Alstom says it delivered the first units in spring 2026 after several months of trials on the rail network.
Why Västtrafik wants more trains
Västtrafik expects train journeys in Västra Götaland to grow from about 65,000 a day to 100,000 in the 2030s. It links that growth to more departures and new connections once the Västlänken stations open and several large track projects finish. Västtrafik also plans to phase out older train types over the same period.
Bijan Zainali, who chairs the Västtrafik board, said the 35 trains would cut the company’s energy use and replace older rolling stock.
| Mode | Journey legs, August 2026 (million) | Change vs August 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Train | 1.9 | +11% |
| Tram | 10.3 | +9% |
| Bus | 13.7 | +8% |
| All modes | 26.9 | +8% |
Rail had the fastest growth of any Västtrafik mode in August 2026, with train journeys up 11% on a year earlier. Figures are journey legs as published by Västtrafik, and the all-modes total also covers boat and demand-responsive services. Västtrafik says lower ticket prices probably contributed to the rise.
Where the X80 runs and what comes next
Västtrafik put the X80 into passenger service while drivers and other staff were still training on the new model. The first routes were Göteborg–Älvängen, Göteborg–Vänersborg and Göteborg–Varberg, with official entry into traffic planned for July. Over time, the X80 is to serve every line in the region except Kinnekullebanan.
Alstom expects further deliveries in the years ahead, but it has not published a schedule for the additional 35 units. The manufacturer also maintains Västtrafik’s train fleet, both new and older. It expects all 80 X80 units to become the backbone of the region’s rail services.
SJ AB will run Västtrafik’s trains under a new 11-year contract from December 2027. Västtrafik says that fleet will total 140 vehicles once Alstom has delivered every X80.
A regional train built for Nordic winters
Each three-car X80 seats 270 passengers and has a top speed of 200 km/h. According to Alstom, the train can run through 80 cm of snow, stays reliable at temperatures down to -40°C and recovers energy through regenerative braking. The design won a Red Dot Award in 2025.
