A robust transport system is crucial for society to cope with a serious crisis, says Minister of Infrastructure Andreas Carlson (KD).
It is against this background and the serious security situation in our world that the government has now decided that the Swedish Transport Administration will investigate civil liability in transport.
Lessons learned from Ukraine
The government has previously activated civil service in the municipal emergency services and in the electricity supply sector. Around 4,000 people will be trained in the coming years. Civil service in the healthcare sector is also being reviewed.
For the transport sector, it is about ensuring that people are able to get to work and that goods such as food, medicine and fuel continue to be delivered in the event of a heightened state of alert.
Andreas Carlson says he has learned from the situation in Ukraine and mentions, for example, that they have extra staff to keep the railway running with stints if the signaling system does not function normally. This could also include staff for traffic monitoring and repair work.
Looking at more areas
The Minister of Civil Defense, Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), says that it is important to anticipate where needs arise in a crisis situation and train personnel accordingly, such as more cable installers in the energy sector.
If the transport sector does not function, there is very little else that has the prerequisites to function sustainably in society, he says.
It is unclear how many people may be affected. The Swedish Transport Administration's investigation is scheduled to last until October 9, 2026.
The government also intends to look into introducing civic duty for more sectors of society.
Niklas Svahn/TT
Facts: Civilian duty
TT
In Sweden, total military service applies to everyone who lives in the country and is between the ages of 16 and 70.
Civilian service is the civilian equivalent of military service.
The purpose is to ensure that important parts of society function during times of heightened alert or war.
A civilian service position may not include actual combat duties, but may include security or guard duties.
Source: Swedish National Board of Education
