Measures to Improve Train Traffic in Eastern Norway
Many people wonder if there are enough trains in Eastern Norway and whether it is safe to be on a crowded train. Direktør for kjøretøy og kvalitet, Hans Bendik Eriksen, responds.
Reduced train service in Eastern Norway
Update: 10 April 2025
Many people wonder if there are enough trains in Eastern Norway and whether it is safe to be on a crowded train. Direktør for kjøretøy og kvalitet, Hans Bendik Eriksen, responds.
Predictability, stability, and comfort are important for you as a traveler with Vy. We have many dedicated employees working every day, both onboard the trains and behind the scenes, to ensure you have a good travel experience when taking the train with us.
Over the past year, we have focused especially on improving train availability in Eastern Norway, following a challenging winter in 2024. We are seeing positive changes, though there is still much work to be done.
What is the situation as of March 2025?
The start of the year has been better than the previous one. Mild winter weather helps, and all the measures implemented last year are starting to show results. Unfortunately, there are still some challenges, particularly with trains on the RE10 and RE11 lines (Skien–Lillehammer) and some local trains.
Watch the video with Hans Bendik Eriksen, Direktør for kjøretøy og kvalitet, for detailed updates on status, maintenance, single train sets, and crowded trains.
The main challenges are due to:
- Our trains need to be modified for a new signaling system, which temporarily reduces the number of green/dark gray regional trains in operation. This planned modification means we have fewer trains in reserve when issues arise with infrastructure or other factors.
- Maintenance needs for local trains on the L1 Spikkestad–Lillestrøm and L2 Stabekk–Ski lines are demanding, with many problems tied to the age of the trains. This is not something we can fully address through maintenance or prevention. Out of a fleet of approximately 30 trains, we have 10–12 trains undergoing maintenance at any given time.
What Are We Doing to Improve the Train Service?
The oldest trains on the L1 and L2 lines will soon receive technical upgrades, particularly to door systems and power distribution. This will reduce malfunctions and, consequently, the number of trains requiring maintenance. A noticeable improvement is expected as early as this spring.
We are working closely with Bane NOR Eiendom to increase workshop capacity. This is crucial as, without it, too many trains queue for maintenance.
For instance, we experienced significant wheel damage in February, especially along the Vestfold Line. When many trains encounter wheel problems, it creates queues at the wheel-turning machines in the workshops, leading to a shortage of trains in service.
Increasing workshop capacity will ensure faster repairs and fewer trains out of operation for extended periods.
- We have transferred trains from Western Norway to Eastern Norway to boost capacity. Additionally, ongoing assessments are made regarding where we can best utilize the trains in Eastern Norway, and trains are relocated daily to optimize their use.
- Norske Tog, responsible for train procurement in Norway, is actively seeking additional trains for short-term leasing, both nationally and internationally.
We work closely with Bane NOR to ensure trains are in the right place at the right time, despite the railway's limitations. This may sound simple, but unfortunately, it is not.
The railway is unstable yet rigid. We must adhere to the tracks, and when unexpected events occur, we cannot simply bypass them, as there are no alternative tracks.
This can sometimes make it challenging to ensure trains end up in the right place at the right time by the end of the day.
When Will It Get Better?
Looking back six months, we have managed to gradually improve the situation, and we believe this trend will continue. However, we cannot promise long-term stability, as the railway itself is unstable with frequent issues related to power, tracks, and signals.
Bane NOR is implementing numerous maintenance measures, but it will take time before we see the full effects.
Additionally, the planned modifications of the regional trains will continue for another year and a half. If Norske Tog does not succeed in finding additional trains on the market, it means we will have few regional trains in reserve, and there will be days when we do not have enough trains to operate as scheduled.
As for the oldest trains, the local trains, we believe that the technical upgrades will lead to more consistent and stable operation compared to the past year.
Is It Safe to Be on Crowded Trains?
The simple answer is yes. Safety is of utmost importance to us, and we do not compromise on it. Transporting so many people onboard our trains is a significant responsibility, and we are fully aware of that.
Our conductors are trained to handle emergencies onboard and thoroughly inspect the trains before, during, and after the journey to ensure everything is as it should be.
Having more passengers than available seats does not pose a safety risk in itself. The trains are designed to accommodate at least as many standing passengers as seated ones, and this does not impact braking systems, load capacity, or evacuation procedures in an emergency.
There is evacuation equipment onboard, numerous doors to facilitate quick evacuation, and conductors have extra equipment available in a dedicated emergency kit.
We fully acknowledge that standing on a packed single train set during rush hours is not an enjoyable experience. This is not how we want it to be, and we are working every day to make the train service more reliable, comfortable, and stable.