NSB, the Norway state railway company, has announced closing certain lines at Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) from August 1 - August 7, 2016, for maintenance(?). Does anyone know what effect this will have on Flytoget and NSB rail service from Gardermoen Oslo Airport?
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
NSB will have a replacement service (probably bus/coach) serving the route. Looks like the journey will take about an hour from OSL to Oslo S:
Jernbaneverket is carrying out planned maintenance works on the Oslo
S-Ski, Oslo S-Lillestrøm (Romeriksporten), Oslo S-Bryn og Oslo
S-Grefsen line from 03:00 on 01. August to 02:00 on 08. August. We
will organize replacement services.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
https://www.nsb.no/en/12547/important-information-for-anyone-travelling-between-1-august-and-7-august
Excerpts follow:
Construction and improvement projects by Jernbaneverket, the Norwegian National Rail Administration, will mean increased engineering works on the railway. Jernbaneverket will be closing Oslo S station to all train traffic to and from Grefsen, Bryn, Lillestrøm and Ski between 1 August and 7 August....
Which lines will be closed from 1 August - 7 August?
Oslo S – Bryn (Trunk Line)
Oslo S – Grefsen (Gjøvik Line)
Oslo S – Ski (Østfold Line)
Oslo S – Lillestrøm (Gardermoen Line)
Why does NSB think that week 31 (1 August - 7 August) will be especially difficult?
The works are so extensive that capacity in and around Oslo S will be insufficient for the extra buses that NSB needs to bring in. We are working to achieve the best possible solution for our customers in partnership with Jernbaneverket, Ruter and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. We are also encouraging our customers to travel at other times of the day, and to see whether they can avoid the rush hours during this week.
Other factors that may make week 31 problematical are:
- The Norway Cup is being held in this week
- Many people will be back at work after their summer holidays, and the kindergartens and after-school schemes will be reopening
- The Bryn tunnel is still partially closed
- There is no capacity for extra road traffic around Oslo S where it is already very busy
Why can't NSB manage to lay on enough rail-replacement buses?
We can get hold of enough buses to get everyone to work and home again. The problem is a lack of capacity in the road system for all the buses required at the busiest times of day. So we are hoping that travellers will consider other options, such as working from home, travelling at other times than usual or taking a holiday. We are also working with Ruter and ask travellers to use the Metro and scheduled bus services.
Since we know that a full, rush-hour train is equivalent to 16 buses, clearly switching all passengers over to buses at Oslo S will be very difficult.
What is NSB doing to carry passengers this summer, and especially in week 31 (1 August - 7 August)?
NSB is organising rail-replacement buses. We are also cooperating with Ruter on using their services. However, anyone who is able to do so is encouraged to travel at less busy times, to work from home or to take a holiday during this week. This is because we are aware that the number of buses we need to carry all our passengers will exceed the traffic flow capacity of the Bjørvika district.
Does this also affect the Flytoget Airport Express?
Yes, Flytoget will also be affected and is laying on rail-replacement bus services. See Flytoget's website for more information.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
What stop do you need in Oslo? There's at least one Flytoget stop in downtown Olso before the Central Station, the National Theater. You may not even need to go all the way to Central Station.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Problem isn't Oslo S itself but the track work between Oslo S and Lillestrøm.
http://flytoget.no/flytoget_eng/News-and-the-press/Press/Flytoget-s-summer-services
Bus replacement service for the airport express train in week 31
Throughout the period 1- 7 August, Oslo Central Station will be closed
for train services to and from Oslo Airport. All departures will
therefore be replaced by buses from all stations between Drammen and
Lillestrøm.Bus departure times will generally coincide with our regular timetable
(see the Journey Planner for further details).Train replacement buses can never match up to a proper ride on the
Airport Express Train. We know this very well. This is why we will
reduce the fare to only NOK 140 throughout this week - wherever you
travel from.We recommend that you allow an extra twenty minutes for your journey,
and apologise for the inconvenience that this may cause.Passengers from Oslo Central Station: Bus direct to/from Lillestrøm
Departures from all stations every 20 minutes. There will be an
additional departure every morning, 20 minutes earlier than normal.
This is to make sure that passengers will catch the first Airport
Express Train departure from Lillestrøm.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks Edgar and Tom
My problem was rail service from Gardermoen into Oslo. Had planned to take Flytoget into city. Its my understanding there will be no rail service - NSB or Flytoget - from Gardermoen into Oslo, August 1-7
(week 31). As a consequence, I have booked bus transportation with Norgesbuss Ekspress AS, Flybussen. Will take a little longer but it will be pleasant being able to enjoy view of the countryside on the way into Oslo. Your replies much appreciated.