Sweden Slashes Public Transport Pass Prices in Election-Year Move
Government Announces Major Cost Relief Measures
Public Transport Pass Price Reduction
STOCKHOLM, May 26 (Reuters) - Sweden's right-wing government said on Tuesday it has agreed to halve the price of monthly public transport passes in the second half of 2026, providing relief to households ahead of an election for parliament due in September.
The temporary cuts, beginning on July 1, are expected to cost 6.5 billion crowns ($699 million), education minister and Liberals party leader Simona Mohamsson said.
Additional Economic Relief Initiatives
Previously announced measures designed to ease the consequences of the war in the Middle East included a temporary reduction of fuel taxes, electricity bill refunds for households and support to airlines.
Energy Crisis and Government Response
"We are undergoing the worst energy crisis the world has ever seen," Energy Minister Ebba Busch told a press conference on Tuesday.
Temporary VAT Reduction on Food
The minority government, which cooperates closely with the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats party, from April temporarily slashed VAT on food to boost households' economies.
Additional Information
($1 = 9.2988 Swedish crowns)
(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)