Currently the metro network, with six lines, is the backbone of public transport in Oslo. The Norwegian capital inaugurated Løren metro line, the sixth, that covers 1.6 km connecting Økern on the Grorud line and Sinsen on the Ring Line. The project had a total cost of USD 156 million.
“Lørenbanen metro line along with Løren station opening is the largest and most important public transport project in Oslo for 10 years. The work has been challenging, but we have kept both progress and costs in line with budget and on schedule,” Chief executive of Sporveien Cato Hellesjø said.
Oslo now has the largest underground network in the Nordic region with 101 stations and it will also bind the western and eastern parts of the city together in a new way. “The project is a milestone for the development of new residential areas in Oslo,” City Council Leader Raymond Johansen said.
After developing the metro network, Oslo eyes the development of the tram infrastructure and the purchase of new trams.
Upgrading and renewing the infrastructure in Oslo is necessary to meet international standards and to adapt the profile for modern trams. The upgrade consists of 27 larger and smaller subprojects.
Oslo’s population increases, the demand for public transport is high and the offer has to be developed to meet the new requirements.
By 2020, Oslo will receive the first of 87 new trams. This requires upgrading and renewing the infrastructure to meet international standards. The work started in 2016 and is due to be completed in 2020.
The public transport company in Oslo, Sporveien, said that by 2018, it will be clarified how the new trams will look. They will enter commercial services on six lines.
Today’s tram fleet is ready for replacement and Oslo Municipality decided to purchase 87 new trains for a cost framework of NOK 4.1 billion (EUR 436 million). The supplier is given an option for delivery of another 60 trams. When all new trams have been delivered, the goal is to give Oslo a modern, robust and cost-effective tram service.
The tram programme will lift the role of the tram in public transport and lay the foundation for future travel in the city. The programme is run by Sporveien, which cooperates closely with Ruter, Oslo Vognselskap and the Local Environment Agency on the implementation plan.
According to Sporveien, six suppliers compete for the delivery of the new trams: Alstom, CAF, Oslo Consortium (Bombardier Transportation Norway, Vossloh Kiepe), Skoda Transportation, Stadler Pankow and a consortium of Siemens Germany and Siemens Norway. It is planned that the supplier selection will take place within the first half of 2018. The first tram, fit for testing, is expected to be supplied between 2020 an 2021. Delivery and commissioning of new trams is scheduled for 2021 and 2024.
All 87 trams will be operational by the end of 2024.
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