Successful renovation of Arlanda Express

Arlanda Express, the Swedish airport train between Arlanda Airport and central Stockholm, is rebuilding its trains to meet future requirements for environmentally friendly travel. It has been possible to increase the number of seats onboard by 20%, while at the same time providing even greater comfort than previously using modern Scandinavian design. For Global Railway Review, Mr. Per Thorstenson, President of Arlanda Express and CEO of A-Train AB, explains the importance of this train renovation project.

Arlanda Express has only existed for slightly more than 10 years. However, planning started two years ago for the Future Train project, in which A-Train AB, the company behind the Arlanda Express, would invest in a new, more modern design.

The reason for the rebuilding was to meet future demand for environmentally friendly travel to and from Arlanda Airport. Arlanda has reached the ceiling for approved carbon dioxide emissions, and these limits also include ground transports to and from the airport. If Arlanda is not to be forced to reduce the number of take-offs and landings, environmentally friendly ground transport must increase. Today, slightly more than three million travellers per year already choose to take the train to the airport, and to meet the anticipated increase in the number of passengers, A-Train AB is now investing to increase the number of seats onboard the Arlanda Express by a full 20%.

“We have demanding customers who expect punctuality and comfort,” says Mr. Thorstenson. “Many of those travelling by car to the airport could envisage leaving the car at home, but then they want the corresponding comfort in their travel. We therefore also want to exceed the already high expectations of our customers with the new train design.”

At the end of June 2010, the first train had been completed. With the help of the design agency Idesign, A-Train AB created a train that both externally and internally is perceived as clean, timeless, fast and exclusive. The goal was to create an impressive interior that reflects Scandinavian design with new influences and a form of expression that Idesign calls ‘the New Nordic’. It is characterised by bright, clean surfaces with warm materials and wood details around the windows and along the overhead racks.

One of the greatest new features is the seats, which were designed based on Kinnarp’s experience of office chairs. The thin, shellshaped seats, which were developed by the Swedish company Safeman, provide seating comfort that is completely new in rail transport. The upholstery is made of pure wool, and colours are alternated between seats in discreet shades of gray, brown and blue. The seats are shaped so that they nearly enclose the passenger, creating a feeling of being in a private sphere while still providing an overview and control over the surroundings.

“We worked to develop a number of details that have not been seen on Swedish trains before,” explained Mr. Thorstenson. “Our ergonomic seat has already stirred interest among other train manufacturers. We do not have exclusive rights to the seat, however, our only requirement was that we would be the first to use it.”

In early-2010, the Arlanda Express was selected as the travel industry’s best company Copyright: Björn Fredriksson

By replacing the old, thicker seats with the slimmed down seats, the passenger has extra leg room, as well as being able to place small bags under the seat in front, just as when flying. The armrests, which can be raised, are made of brushed steel. Between each pair of seats, there is an electrical outlet that can be used for a laptop computer or a phone charger and a beverage holder.

The old luggage racks that took up so much space were replaced by newly designed overhead racks that are transparent, thus allowing greater control over baggage and minimising the risk of left items. In addition, there are sections with retractable seats in each carriage to provide room for bulkier items, such as baby carriages. The old heater elements were also redesigned and can now be used as a footrest at the same time as the element covers are more sleekly integrated with the wall. Through the above measures, the number of seats on each train has been increased from 190 to approximately 237, while providing better comfort for the passenger.

Another major new feature is the lighting. The old fluorescent tubes were replaced by spot lighting that provides softer, more dynamic lighting in the carriage. The lighting is controlled by GPS. When the train starts, the lights are dimmed and then increased to full strength when the train arrives at a station. If needed, the train personnel can also adjust the lighting level manually.

The train’s toilets are more spacious and fitted with a new toilet and a new ceramic wash basin. The nursing table can be folded out and then easily folded away under the wash basin stand when not in use. There is a digital display in the mirror that shows the time and the train’s speed. The toilet also has a dividing wall in white mosaic with built-in spaces for the handles that must be raised for accessibility for the disabled. The toilet door is decorated with a heart-shaped lamp that blinks red when the toilet is occupied.

The open carriage sections have new carpeting and better sound insulation in both the floor and ceiling. The windows are fitted with sun shades that passengers can adjust themselves as required. Television screens for information and advertising are integrated in the glass walls of the carriage sections for a cleaner design. The ceilings of the entrance area are perforated with a leaf pattern, and on the dividing walls between carriage sections, there are photographs that are unique for each train. The first train to be complete was decorated with various motifs from Stockholm’s archipelago. Given that each train will have its own unique photographs, this may also be the world’s fastest photo gallery, since the train runs at 200km/h.

In the middle of the train, there is a lounge with space where large groups can be seated together for informal meetings. A counter runs along the windows with space for a computer or a cup of coffee. Passengers can sit here on comfortable bar stools with a view of the shifting landscape outside. Naturally, the train is equipped with wireless Internet that passengers may use free-of-charge. In the lounge, there is also an information counter (Service Point) staffed by the train crew after ticket checks have been completed. Here travellers can get information about terminals, airlines and hotels.

“With the new train’s new design and comfort, I hope that we will surprise both customers and employees. This will be Sweden’s most modern train in which design and comfort go hand-in-hand,” says Mr. Thorstenson.

The train’s exterior has also been thoroughly revised with a new colour profile without losing the Arlanda Express’s characteristic look.

“It should be apparent that the train goes fast. We have introduced white as a complement to the yellow colour to create a clean and simple impression. At the same time, the exterior must look fast and modern,” explains Mr. Thorstenson.

On the sides of the train the text ‘Arlanda Express’ is displayed in shimmering gold and silver letters. The symbol for Good Environmental Choice is displayed on the doors to emphasise the environmental gain in taking the train to the airport. In the same vein, the current collector is painted green, which is not standard in the rail industry, to show that Arlanda Express runs on green electricity.

Earlier in 2010, Stockholm Arlanda Express was selected as the travel industry’s best company. President Mr. Per Thorstenson sees development and renewal as important components in customer satisfaction, for which the company has attracted attention on several other occasions. The Future Train is the company’s next major step in maintaining and nurturing the high respect that the Arlanda Express brand commands and the quality that the company strives to offer its customers.

The trains are now being rebuilt in Euromaint Rail’s shops in Malmö. All trains are expected to be completed by summer 2011. With the new trains, a trip to Arlanda Airport of just 20 minutes will undoubtedly seem even shorter.

About the Author

Per Thorstenson

Mr. Per Thorstenson joined Arlanda Express in October 2001 as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of the A-Train group of companies. Prior to that, having held senior roles at DHL International and Time Warner, he was the Marketing Director for Electrolux Professional from 1998. He was also elected to the industry association’s Board of Directors. Over the course of his career, Mr. Thorstenson has focussed on achieving significant improvements in sales, productivity, market share and profitability. During his education in Sweden, Mr. Thorstenson spent some time in the US studying the automotive industry, and undertook military service. In 2010, Mr. Thorstenson was awarded the Diversity Initiative Prize – an accolade given to a corporate leader who uses their leadership position to deliberately and successfully work to promote diversity in the workplace.