Norrtälje Bus Drivers Lose Christmas Dinner
Bus drivers in Norrtälje have lost their annual Christmas dinner after management blamed high costs from an autumn safety stop, Aftonbladet reported.
The decision affects drivers and workshop staff who had enjoyed the tradition for over 20 years. The cancellation was announced in an internal message sent to employees at the Transdev depot.
Safety issues and costs from the transit dispute
The dispute stems from safety issues that first gained attention in March 2026 when a wheel detached from a bus traveling on the E18 highway. No one was injured in the incident, but safety representatives argued that subsequent vehicle checks were insufficient and that staff lacked proper training.
On Oct. 21, the union Kommunal instituted a safety stop that halted bus traffic in the municipality for three hours under the Work Environment Act due to immediate and serious danger. The action cost Transdev roughly 900,000 kronor due to fines paid to regional transit authority SL and taxi replacement costs for stranded passengers, according to Arbetet and RT-Forum.
Drivers and union representatives criticize the company response
Drivers said that their schedules leave little time to socialize, making the holiday gathering a rare chance to meet colleagues.
“Det är helt vansinnigt med kollektiv bestraffning.”
said an affected bus driver to Aftonbladet.
Johnny Löfholm, a safety representative at Transdev in Norrtälje, criticized the company’s response to Sveriges Radio.
“Hela kollektivet blir bestraffning för att vi i skyddsorganisationen gjorde någonting för hela kollektivet och hela branschen.”
said Johnny Löfholm, safety representative at Transdev in Norrtälje, to Sveriges Radio.
Management Response
Depot manager Susanna Svedberg initially linked the cancelled event to the financial strain of the safety stop in the internal intranet message. She later told Aftonbladet and Arbetet that her wording was clumsy and that the decision stemmed from a negative depot budget rather than direct retaliation against the workforce.
“Jag uttryckte mig dumt och det beklagar jag. Jag ville förklara vad som kostade mycket den månaden.”
said Susanna Svedberg, depot manager, to Arbetet.
Svedberg added that management is considering organizing a barbecue day for the staff in the spring if the depot’s finances improve.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Transdev Decision
Why was the Norrtälje Christmas dinner cancelled?
Transdev management said that the depot was already operating on a minus budget, which was exacerbated by approximately 900,000 kronor in costs stemming from an October safety stop.
When did the safety stop occur?
The safety stop took place on Oct. 21, halting bus traffic in Norrtälje for three hours after union representatives flagged inadequate vehicle safety checks and training, according to RT-Forum and Arbetet.
What alternative did management offer?
Depot manager Susanna Svedberg suggested on the company’s intranet that Transdev might host a barbecue day for employees during the spring, provided the depot’s financial situation improves, Arbetet reported.
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