Stockholm Metro

The Stockholm Metro (Swedish: Stockholms tunnelbana) is a rapid transit system in Stockholm, the capital city of Sweden. Its first line opened in 1950 as the first metro line in the Nordic countries. Today, the system consists of three lines and 100 stations, of which 47 are underground and 53 above ground. The system is owned by Region Stockholm via SL, the public transport authority for Stockholm County. It is the only metro system in Sweden.

The metro's three coloured lines, Green, Red, and Blue, together form seven routes with different termini. All of these routes pass through the city centre, creating a highly centralised network. The main interchange for all three lines is T-Centralen station, where they intersect. In addition to T-Centralen, the system has three other interchange stations: Fridhemsplan, Slussen, and Gamla stan. Various extensions to the system are currently under construction, An extension to the north-west of Blue Line is expected to open in 2027, while extensions to its south are expected to open in 2030. Construction of a new Yellow Line to the west of the city centre is scheduled to start in 2025.

In 2019, the Stockholm metro transported 462 million passengers, equivalent to approximately 1.27 million on a typical weekday. The 105.7-kilometre-long (65.7 mi) metro system has been operated by MTR since 2 November 2009, whose contract expires at the end of 2024. The system is equipped with ticket barriers. SL operates the metro's ticketing system, with ticketing available via the SL app and rechargeable travel cards. Contactless payment is also accepted at the gates. Ticketing can also be purchased at station booths and select local retailers. SL phased out ticket machines on its network in 2022.

The Stockholm metro has been referred to as 'the world's longest art gallery,' featuring decorations at more than 90 of its 100 stations, including sculptures, rock formations, mosaics, paintings, light installations, engravings, and reliefs created by over 150 artists.

In the late 19th century, Stockholm's suburbs expanded thanks to the development of local railways such as Djursholmsbanan and Saltsjöbanan. By 1900, electrified trams extended into the city centre, and by 1915 Stockholms Spårvägar (SS) was managing a growing tram network, including new suburban lines as the city incorporated areas such as Bromma and Brännkyrka. With further suburbs planned, it became evident that trams would not meet the city's future transport needs, prompting underground railway proposals. Stockholm's politicians were also inspired by large cities such as London, Paris and New York where metros had already been built. Through the 1920s, various investigations were carried out by the city. In 1930 a traffic committee was appointed by Stockholm's city council at the initiative of city councilor Yngve Larsson with the task of solving the capital's major traffic problems.

The first step towards an underground transit system was the construction of the Södertunneln tram tunnel under Södermalm. Approved by the city council on 30 March 1931, following recommendations from the 1930 Traffic Committee. Construction commenced in autumn 1931, and the project, costing 4.5 million kronor, was inaugurated on 30 September 1933. Södertunneln included three stations: Slussen, Södra Bantorget (now Medborgarplatsen), and Ringvägen (now Skanstull). The stations were designed by architect Holger Blom and inspired by Berlin's U-Bahn. The tunnel operated as a premetro service with existing tramlines connecting to it. This project marked the first use of the term "Tunnelbanan," and the first use of station entrances distinguished by a "T" in a circle.

The 1930s also brought significant changes to the political and economic landscape of housing construction in Stockholm, with a new municipal plan for multi-family dwellings in the suburbs. A considerable debate unfolded across political parties, but a metro system came to be viewed as the optimal solution to the city's housing crisis and increasing congestion in the city centre.

In 1941, Stockholm City Council voted to develop a large-scale metro system, based on plans from the 1930 Traffic Committee and a further 1940 report. This decision called for the Södertunneln and southern suburban tram lines to be extended to Norrmalm, connecting with the western suburban tram lines through a tunnel under Sveavägen.