Transdev, Sweden: Rapid Rail Network Takeover & Asset Management Success

Introduction

In February 2024, Transdev was awarded the operation of a major rail network in Sweden, following the previous operator’s financial difficulties, and launched operations in June 2024, taking over maintenance on 7 December 2024. This rapid transition, made possible by digital tools and asset management strategies, highlights the evolving landscape of public transport in Europe, where digitization and liberalization are key objectives.

European Union Digitization and Liberalization Objectives

The European Union is driving the digitization and liberalization of public transportation across the continent. This shift has led to an increase in competitive tenders for routes and contracts. Operators with robust digital capabilities are more likely to succeed in these tenders, as they possess a strong understanding of costs, constraints, and operational requirements. Successful operators can demonstrate a bankable rolling stock plan, efficient staffing and maintenance regimes, and a digital infrastructure for punctuality, customer information, and reporting. These capabilities enable operators to commit to specific KPIs at lower subsidy levels and achieve profitability post-award. Furthermore, the ability to quickly adapt to takeovers, often within months, requires scalable, interoperable, and proven tools that can centralize maintenance activities across different modes of transport, such as trams, trains, and buses.

Transdev’s Implementation Strategy

Transdev’s implementation strategy, as seen in the Swedish rail network takeover, provides a practical example of how an operator can become takeover-ready within a short timeframe. The company leveraged an industry-leading asset management platform in SaaS under an existing group framework. A business value assessment, conducted with a partner, identified operational maturity gaps and set priorities, which enabled an agile rollout. This approach facilitated the rapid delivery of full capabilities while maintaining flexibility for future expansion. The transition included the integration of 700 employees from the former operator to ensure service continuity, with the goal of providing a seamless experience for 12 million annual passengers.

Asset Management in Transportation

Asset management is central to unifying compliance and performance improvements. An effective platform is designed specifically for transportation and its ecosystem, managing multiple factors that affect availability, safety, and cost. For example, the platform supports both rail and bus operations, covering maintenance, procurement, warehouse management, finance, and supplier management. Interoperability is a key feature, allowing integration with existing ERP systems and shared rail rolling stock maintenance and fault data systems. TransN, operating multimodal transportation in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, utilizes an asset management system to consolidate performance data in a centralized system, promote standardization, and eliminate paper-based processes. As a result, the company fully meets regulatory requirements, including ISO 9001:2015, and has simplified task execution with electronic checklists, supporting more efficient and sustainable daily operations.

NIS2 Impact and Cyber Security

The NIS2 directive, effective in 2026, mandates that cyber security be a board-level responsibility, bringing stricter risk management, faster incident reporting, and wider supplier oversight across IT and Operational Technology (OT). The transport sector, including ticketing, depot systems, signalling interfaces, and onboard networks, will be significantly impacted. According to a 2023 EU cyber-security ENISA report, three out of four transportation companies had no dedicated role for OT cyber security, and one in two had no dedicated budget. Coupling an EAM with an OT cyber security platform can address this by integrating asset inventory, software versions, change logs, and vendor exposure, while also providing guidance on vulnerabilities and patching. Operators will still need layered defenses, segmentation, and monitoring, but the combined approach greatly simplifies inventory, detection of unauthorized configuration changes, and restoration of key operational systems.

Conclusion

The shift towards digital transformation in public transport relies on effective change management. Digital change is heavily influenced by the personnel and the onboarding of a large number of people within a short timeframe. Engaging workers in business-process design is vital. A maintenance excellence working group can drive continuous improvement. Digital solutions, augmented by IoT tools, AI, and digital work features like voice input, can improve worker safety and satisfaction. Hexagon, which has worked with over 120 public transport agencies and operators worldwide, is experiencing these trends firsthand. Earlier this year, Hexagon launched an AI assistant within EAM and digital twins, with a high focus on security and accuracy.

Company Summary

Transdev: Awarded the operation of a major rail network in Sweden in February 2024, launching operations in June 2024, and taking over maintenance on 7 December 2024. The company integrated 700 employees from the former operator to ensure continuity and expertise in service delivery. Transdev operates in multimodal transportation.

TransN: Operates multimodal transportation in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The company utilizes an asset management system to consolidate performance data.

Hexagon: The company has worked with more than 120 public transport agencies and operators worldwide.

Technology

Enterprise Asset Management (EAM): Industry-leading platform used by Transdev for asset management.

Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF): A key performance indicator (KPI) used in asset management.

Mean Time to Repair (MTTR): A key performance indicator (KPI) used in asset management.