– When the tilting trains are to be phased out, the journey time can quickly increase by half an hour between Oslo and Kristiansand. That’s what leader of the Railway Forum Sør Rune Hagestrand (H) says. He points out that there are already challenges with far too long journey times on the Sørlandsbanen if you compare it with road transport. If the journey time increases even more, he fears that travelers will abandon the train and instead choose a car or bus. – The idea was to get more people to drive trains. Uncertain if new trains can run as fast Jernbaneforum Sør’s concern is linked to whether new trains will be able to run as fast as today’s tilting trains on the winding Sørlandsbanen. The tilting trains will eventually be phased out. Norske tog CEO Øystein Risan confirms this. He says they are now investigating whether train manufacturers can deliver new trains that can run as fast as the tilting trains, but that it is currently uncertain. – I understand the concern, says Risan. UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN: Øystein Risan, director of Norske Tog. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB According to him, it is the oldest trains that will be replaced first. Then it’s the turn of the roller coasters. Risan suggests that it is five, ten years in the future. Norske tog acquires, owns and manages all train equipment in this country. The state-owned company leases trains to the British train company Go-Ahead, which operates Sørlandsbanen today. – Does not completely share the concern Among train passengers, opinions about increased travel time are divided: CEO of Go Ahead Cathrine Elgin believes that travel time is important to get people to travel by train. But she takes a brighter view of the situation than Jernbaneforum Sør. – I do not completely share the concern that there will be up to half an hour extra travel time. If we enter a new future without tilting of the train stock, we would still be able to optimize this in a good way. Cathrine Elgin says there are several measures that can help reduce the journey time on the Sørlandsbanen without tilting trains. Photo: Jan Kåre Ness / NTB Elgin emphasizes that there are several measures that can be taken to shorten the driving time. She points to the improvement of infrastructure and timetables, and the removal of certain stops as possible solutions. – We must ensure that it becomes attractive for customers to travel by train. Fears for the existence of Jernbaneforum Sør, on the other hand, fears for the entire future train service on Sørlandsbanen. – What can save the train service in the region now is a connection of the Sørlandsbanen and the Vestfoldbanen, says manager Rune Hagestrand. He says it takes three quarters of an hour less to drive from Kristiansand to Oslo. – Then it is quite logical who wins that competition, he says. It is not certain that the new trains on Sørlandsbanen can run as fast as today’s tilting trains. Leader of Jernbaneforum Sør Rune Hagestrand fears this means that travelers will choose bus or car. Photo: Geir Ingar Egeland / news Sorlandet The members of Jernbaneforum Sør will visit train manufacturers in Europe this autumn to discuss the matter. – We have to be a bit ahead of the development and keep an eye on what alternatives are available when the new trains are to be ordered in due course, says Hagestrand. Jernbaneforum Sør has existed since 1992. They work for a better train service in Agder, Rogaland and Vestfold and Telemark.
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Fears longer travel time when trains are to be changed – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
