More trains on the Dovrebanen and between Bergen and Arna. Replacing diesel with green electricity in Trøndelag, and a new digital signaling system on the Gjøvik railway. This is part of what Bane NOR promises for 2024.
There is no twiddling of thumbs in railway Norway. This year, the state is spending NOK 28 billion on investments in new facilities, operation, maintenance and renewal of old infrastructure.
The work is in full swing. Some of the projects have been ongoing for several years and will be completed in 2024. Other measures are starting now and will contribute to an improvement of the railway in the future.
– In cooperation with the rest of the sector, we will gradually strengthen the train offer. It is important so that more people can travel emission-free, and to move more freight traffic from the roads to climate-friendly tracks, says Thor Gjermund Eriksen, CEO of Bane NOR.
Will refurbish old facilities
During 2024, Bane NOR will spend over NOK 28 billion on investments, operation, maintenance and renewal of the railway. This money is distributed as follows:
- DKK 4 billion for operations.
- 2.8 billion for maintenance.
- 5.2 billion for renewal (replacement of old equipment).
- 16.3 billion for investments (brand new railway).
Eriksen points out the importance of investments to increase the capacity of the railway and funds for maintenance.
– It is very important to strengthen the maintenance and renewal of our old and partly run-down facilities. In addition, we need greater capacity on the railway. “Several of our routes are burst due to the large number of passenger and freight trains in traffic,” says the CEO.
Seven effects in 2024
Eriksen has great faith in the work that is underway, and points to seven effects in particular that we are working to achieve already this year. In addition, a large project to strengthen the electricity supply on the Bergen Railway has started.
Bane NOR has agreed with the Ministry of Transport that they will deliver this year:
- More trains between Arna and Bergen – A new double track opens here this spring. This means that the number of departures with local trains can be doubled.
- Strengthens freight transport on the Bergen Railway – There will be an increase in capacity from the modern, efficient and emission-free terminal at Nygårdstangen.
- New digital signaling system (ERTMS) on the Gjøvik railway – A new digital signaling system is scheduled to be in place in the autumn. It should provide more trains on the route and even better safety with remote control of train traffic.
- More trains on the Gjøvik line – Here, Bane NOR has, among other things, built crossing tracks (a short stretch of double track, where oncoming trains can pass each other). With the new digital signaling system, it is ready for more train departures during the day and evening, outside of rush hour.
- Electrification of the Trønder and Meråkerbanen and introduction of new trains – We are switching from diesel to green electricity on the section between Støren and Stjørdal. This reduces emissions and means the introduction of new, modern trains.
- More and faster trains on the Dovrebanen – This year we should have five minutes shorter journey time between Oslo and Hamar, due to the development of double tracks between Venjar, Eidsvoll and Langset. However, we already got that in 2023, because the project was finished well before the deadline, having spent less money than budgeted.
- Better operational stability on the Østfold line – Bane NOR replaces the power lines and seals the Blixtunnel better. This means less dripping of water and thus less ice formation in winter. When both runs in the tunnel reopen, there will be more and faster trains, and better punctuality on the Østfold line.
- Randklev bridge – Here, train traffic is expected to reopen before the summer, and thus the connection between Oslo and Trondheim will be restored. This is important for both passenger and freight train traffic.
- This year, work begins to replace the old and worn power plant between Hønefoss and Haugastøl on the Bergen Railway. In the long term, it should ensure a more stable power supply, which leads to fewer stops in traffic. At the same time, it makes it possible to run heavier freight trains on the Bergen Railway, and cuts maintenance costs.
Better punctuality in the long run
CEO Thor Gjermund Eriksen is satisfied with the list of this year’s measures. He points out that several of the projects will also contribute to fewer delays and canceled departures.
– We have a lot of old infrastructure and some dilapidated facilities. This makes working with punctuality complicated, time-consuming and expensive. There are no simple solutions that give quick results. We are working to improve the train offer in the long term, in collaboration with the train companies and our other colleagues in the railway sector, says Eriksen.