Train service north of Trondheim was due for disruption this weekend, while service through Oslo’s Central Station (Oslo S) was also due to halt for six weeks from June 24. The shutdowns are tied to necessary maintenance that’s part of an overall service improvement plan.
“We need to work on new platforms at Trondheim’s central station, so we have to halt some traffic,” Hilde Lyng of Trønder-, Røros- and Meråkerbanen told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK) on Wednesday. She said passengers would be offered alternative bus service on affected routes from June 16-18.
Passengers in the Oslo area would also be offered alternative bus service for a much longer period, from June 24-August 6. Even though it’s in the middle of the tourism season, state railroad officials deemed it best to once again take advantage of a slowdown in commuter traffic during traditional summer holidays in July, to carry out improvements in the train tunnels. They’ll include new tracks, switching systems and other rail infrastructure.
All traffic between Skøyen and Bryn/Grefsen in Oslo will be halted for six weeks, with all trains to and from Oslo affected except for lines to the southeast, Østfoldbanen. The goal, reported newspaper Aftenposten, is more punctual and reliable service the rest of the year.
Officials at state railway NSB said passengers would need to allow more time when using local trains through Oslo, with NSB updating the situation on its website (external link, click also on NSB’s “Train on time” option).
The mainetnance work will also affect the Airport Express Train (Flytoget) serving Oslo’s main airport at Gardermoen, between Drammen, Oslo and Lilestrøm from June 24-August 6. Passengers were being told to allow at least an extra 20 minutes for the trip. Fares will be reduced when service is replaced by bus lines (external link).
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