The Norwegian Railway Directorate (Jernbanedirektoratet) and the national operator Vy Group signed contracts for the operation of Eastern Norway rail network. The contracts have a total value of NOK 21 billion (EUR 1.8 billion) and will be implemented for a 10-year period.
“We are happy that we will be running trains in Eastern Norway for another 10 years, and look forward to delivering a good offer to customers. The agreements make tough demands on us, but they also give us predictability and the long-term,” the executive director of Vy Passenger Train, Erik Røhne, said.
Through these agreements, consideration will be given to all groups of passengers.The population will also get a considerable improvement in the train service, partly because the infrastructure in and through the Oslo area will be better utilised.
The agreements that have now been concluded with the Vy Group are the largest traffic contracts in Norway.80 per cent of train traffic takes place on the Eastern Norway rail network.In 2023, the Norwegian government will pay NOK 3.4 billion (EUR 290.4 million) for the same area for one year.
“The agreements involve improvements of the train offer and services in the coming years while the state’s costs will be significantly reduced. We are confident that these agreements will provide the best solution for train passengers and for society,” says Knut Sletta, the director Norwegian Railway Directorate.
The Norwegian Railway Directorate says that there is an expectation of higher earnings through increased passenger growth, in addition to an opportunity to take over traffic to Oslo Airport.
The expected improvements of the train offer include:
- Hourly frequency on RE 30 Oslo – Gjøvik route during 2024, when the new signalling system has been commissioned;
- Frequency increase from 30 to 15 minutes on the L2 Ski – Stabekk route (between Oslo S and ending in Ski) on Saturdays from December 2023;
- Extended departures on R21 Moss – Oslo S line towarss Stabekk station from December 2023;
- More off-peak departures at weekends from December 2023 on four routes (R13 Drammen – Dal, R 14 Asker – Kongsvinger, RE 10 Drammen – Lillehammer and RE 11 Skien – Eidsvoll);
- Deployment of new trains on L2 Ski – Stabekk line from 2025 (new type of local train);
- Nine departures per hour for all passengers between Oslo S and Oslo Airport from 2028;
- Four trains per hour between Oslo and Tønsberg from December 2025;
- A 10-minute frequency between Drammen and Oslo starting December 2025;
- Two trains per hour from Hamar to and from Oslo starting December 2027.
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