The case in summary Double-decker trains are seen as a possible solution to increase capacity in Eastern Norway, and can provide approx. 40 per cent more seats in the carriages. The government will spend NOK 5.9 billion on double-decker trains to increase the capacity of the regional trains in Eastern Norway. Norske tog’s material director, Kjell-Arthur Abrahamsen, estimates that double-decker trains can be in place in seven years at the earliest. The commuter association in Indre Østfold believes that there has been a lot of talk and little action to get double-decker trains into operation, and that it is important to speed up the process. Norske tog believes it is important to spend more time clarifying whether double-decker trains are the best alternative. Norwegian Railways must buy new trains in any case, and when several vehicles are to be scrapped in the period 2031–2035, double-deckers may be relevant. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Delays, long queues and full trains. Commuting by train in Eastern Norway has not been easy in recent years. To improve capacity, double-decker trains have been seen as a possible solution. The trains have room for far more passengers, and will provide approx. 40 per cent more seats in the carriages. But that is easier said than done, we shall interpret statements from Norske tog. In seven years at the earliest Trains with two floors are now included in the proposal for the National Transport Plan. The government will spend NOK 5.9 billion on double-decker trains to increase the capacity of the regional trains in Eastern Norway. There is room for far more passengers in double-decker trains. In Sweden, the double-decker trains look like this. Photo: Benjamin Vorland Andersrød / news Kjell-Arthur Abrahamsen says it will take time even if the proposal is adopted. He is Director of Materials at Norske tog. – There is always a long way to go to acquire trains. We appreciate that this is clarified as quickly as possible, so that we can get started. If we are to acquire new double-decker trains, it is important to start quickly, says Abrahamsen. Material director at Norske tog, Kjell-Arthur Abrahamsen. Photo: Norske Tog He estimates that double-deckers can be in place in seven years at the earliest, but then everything must go smoothly. The relevant areas being considered for double-decker trains are all regional trains in Eastern Norway. That is, all the lines that have an R in front of the line number. Click here for a high-resolution version of the map: Illustration: Bane Nor No time to lose, commuters’ association believes One of those who have grown tired of full trains is the head of the Commuters’ Association in Indre Østfold, Ronny Aukrust. He refers to experiences from Sweden and other European countries with double-decker trains. – Feedback from there is that the travelers are very satisfied with this type of solution. There are more seats and better utilization. It is also relatively quick to both empty and fill trains. He believes there has been a lot of talk and little action to get double-decker trains into operation. Ronny Aukrust is a commuter himself, and head of the Commuter Association in Indre Østfold. Photo: private – It must be possible to get some speed in this. We really have no time to lose. We need the increased capacity already today, so that you can quickly get started with getting this implemented and introduced, and ordered – not least, says Aukrust. For the record: Aukrust is a train commuter, but also leader of the Indre Østfold Labor Party. What offers the best deals to travelers? Norske tog acquires, owns and manages passenger train equipment in Norway. The company is owned by the Ministry of Transport. But when it comes to railways, the line of actors is quite long. In the autumn of 2023, it became known that the Directorate of Railways recommends double-decker trains in Eastern Norway. In June, they submitted a note to the Ministry of Transport and Communications which substantiates the data base for the recommendation. It is then up to the government and Storting to make the further decision on the way forward. Train chaos is something travelers in Eastern Norway constantly experience. Photo: Marie Peyre Norske tog believes it is important to spend a bit more time clarifying whether double-decker trains are the best alternative. – We at Norske tog are most concerned with solving the mission itself, and that is that we want increased capacity in Eastern Norway. Because we see that there are more and more passengers, says Abrahamsen. He outlines several points that need to be clarified. What kind of timetable will the trains run on? How does this fit in with acceleration and braking effect. How fast can passengers get on and off double-decker trains. Still going to buy new trains There are several vehicles to be scrapped in the period 2031–2035. When these are to be replaced, double deckers may be relevant. Double-decker trains are now in the concept committee investigation (KVU) phase. The material director of Norske tog believes the investigation will give them control over all infrastructure measures and an answer to whether double-decker trains actually solve the problems for commuters in Eastern Norway. – If the answer is a double-decker train, then it will go ahead in the pre-project phase, says Abrahamsen. The regional trains in Eastern Norway are being considered for double-decker trains Photo: SJ, Statens Järnvägar Published 20.06.2024, at 05.16
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Increased capacity in Eastern Norway with double-decker trains – news Østfold – Local news, TV and radio
