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Stockholm Metro

technology Maturity 5-7

Trains run under the city in Sweden.

Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Many trains go through long tunnels. Some tracks are above the ground. The stations have pretty art. It is like a big art gallery!
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Do you like art?

43 words

Trains run under the city in Sweden.

Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
There are three lines. They are green, red, and blue.

Many tracks go under the ground. Some tracks are above the ground. There are 100 stations in the whole system.

Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg

The stations have beautiful art. Over 150 artists made things for them. You can see paintings and lights. Some stations show the bare rock.

This makes the metro a giant art gallery. It is a fun place to see.

Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Many people ride these trains every day.

96 words

The Stockholm Metro is a fast train system in Sweden.

Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
It helps people travel through the capital city. The system has three main lines. They are the Green, Red, and Blue lines. Today, there are 100 stations in total. Some stations are underground. Others are above the ground.
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg

Many people call this system the world's longest art gallery. This is because more than 90 stations have art. Over 150 artists made special things for them. You can see colorful paintings and bright lights. Some stations even show the natural rock walls.

Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg

The first part of the system opened in 1950. It started as a way to move people from trams to trains. Now, the system is growing. Workers are building new parts of the Blue Line. A new Yellow Line will also start building in 2025. In 2019, over 462 million people rode the metro.

Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg
Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg
This shows how much people use these trains to get around.

173 words

The Stockholm Metro is a fast train system in Sweden. It helps people move through the capital city of Stockholm.

Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
The system is very important for the city's transport. It is the only metro system in all of Sweden. Today, the network has three main colored lines. These are the Green, Red, and Blue lines.
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
All these lines meet at a central station called T-Centralen. This makes it easy for people to switch paths.

There are 100 stations in the entire system. Most of these are above ground, with 53 stations. However, 47 stations are located deep underground.

Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
Many people call the metro the world's longest art gallery. This is because more than 90 stations have special decorations. Over 150 artists have worked on these spaces. You can find paintings, mosaics, and bright light installations. Some stations even leave the natural rock walls showing.
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
These decorations make every trip feel like a discovery.

Building this huge system took many years of planning. In the late 1800s, Stockholm used local railways and trams. By 1915, the city had a growing tram network.

Tunnelbaneplan för Stockholm 1965.jpg
Tunnelbaneplan för Stockholm 1965.jpg
Leaders looked at cities like London and New York for ideas. A committee was formed in 1930 to fix traffic. The first step was a tram tunnel called Södertunneln. It opened in 1933 and cost 4.5 million kronor. This project used the first "T" signs for stations. This helped start the idea of the Tunnelbanan.

The first official metro line opened on October 1, 1950. It ran between Slussen and Hökarängen.

Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg
Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg
Later, the Red Line opened in 1964. The Blue Line was the last major system to open in 1975. The system is still growing even today. Workers are building extensions for the Blue Line right now. One part should open in 2027. Another part is expected in 2030. A new Yellow Line will start building in 2025.

Using the metro is simple for the people of Stockholm. You can pay for a ride using a phone app. You can also use rechargeable travel cards.

EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG
EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG
There are also ticket barriers at the stations. In 2019, 462 million passengers used the metro. That is about 1.27 million people on a typical weekday. The trains run from 5:00 in the morning until 1:00 at night. During busy times, a train may come every 2 to 3 minutes.
Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg
Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg
This keeps the city moving smoothly every single day.

431 words

The Stockholm Metro is a vital rapid transit system serving Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. It is the only metro system in the country. Today, the network serves as a highly centralized system that connects the city to its various suburbs. It consists of three main colored lines: the Green, Red, and Blue lines. These lines form seven different routes that all pass through the city center. This central design allows passengers to reach almost any part of the metropolitan area efficiently.

Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg

The metro functions through a complex network of 100 stations. Of these, 47 are located underground, while 53 are above ground. The system is owned by Region Stockholm through the public transport authority, SL. To use the system, passengers pass through ticket barriers. SL manages the ticketing through a mobile app, rechargeable travel cards, or contactless payments. While station booths and local retailers also sell tickets, SL phased out traditional ticket machines in 2022.

EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG
EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG

There are three distinct lines that define the network's structure. The Green Line is the longest, with 49 stations and three routes. It opened in 1950 and carries about 146 million passengers annually. The Red Line opened in 1964 and has 36 stations across two routes. Finally, the Blue Line opened in 1975 and is the most deeply tunneled. It contains 20 stations, 19 of which are located underground in rock. The lines are named by color based on historical train liveries.

Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg

The history of the metro began with the expansion of local railways and trams in the late 19th century. As Stockholm grew, city leaders realized that trams could not meet future transport needs. They looked to large cities like London and New York for inspiration. In 1930, a traffic committee was appointed to solve the city's congestion. The first major step was the Södertunneln, a tram tunnel under Södermalm. It was inaugurated on September 30, 1933, after costing 4.5 million kronor.

Tunnelbanebygget (Färgad).jpg
Tunnelbanebygget (Färgad).jpg

Formal metro construction began in 1944 following a 1941 city council vote. During this era, the city faced a housing crisis and rapid population growth. These factors forced engineers to make significant technical changes. For example, the line between T-Centralen and Slussen was built with four tracks instead of two. Engineers also increased platform lengths from 100 meters to 145 meters. This allowed trains to grow from six cars to eight cars to carry more people.

Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg
Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg

One of the most remarkable features of the system is its aesthetic beauty. The Stockholm Metro is often called "the world's longest art gallery." More than 90 of the 100 stations feature artistic decorations. Over 150 artists have contributed works such as sculptures, mosaics, and paintings. Some stations, especially on the Blue Line, leave the natural bedrock exposed. This creates a unique look where the raw rock serves as part of the art.

Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg

The scale of the system is evident in its daily usage and technical operations. In 2019, the metro transported 462 million passengers. This averages to approximately 1.27 million people on a typical weekday. The system uses two main types of rolling stock: the SL C20 and the SL C30. A full-length train can accommodate around 1,250 passengers. To keep the city moving, trains run every 2 to 3 minutes during peak hours in the central network.

Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg
Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg

Looking forward, the Stockholm Metro continues to expand to meet the needs of a growing city. Several major projects are currently underway to extend the reach of the lines. A new extension to the northwest of the Blue Line is expected to open in 2027. Further southern extensions of the Blue Line are planned for 2030. Additionally, construction for a brand-new Yellow Line to the west of the city center is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg
Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg

653 words
🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Tunnelbanebygget (Färgad).jpg
Tunnelbanebygget (Färgad).jpg
File:Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg
Constructing the Stockholm Metro in 1957.jpg
File:Tunnelbaneplan för Stockholm 1965.jpg
Tunnelbaneplan för Stockholm 1965.jpg
File:Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
Rådhuset metro station June 2015.jpg
File:Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
Swe subway switch 20050425 001.jpg
File:Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
Stockholm metrosystem map.svg
File:EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG
EU-SE-Stockholm-012.JPG
File:Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg
Örnsberg tunnelbana, SL C30, 20240210 - 50.jpg
File:StockholmBlueMetroTrain.jpg
StockholmBlueMetroTrain.jpg
File:Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
Stockholm subway karlaplan 20050731 002.jpg
File:Stadion metro station 2025.jpg
Stadion metro station 2025.jpg
File:Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg
Barkarby, tunnelbanan, 20230423, 20.jpg

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