NORWEGIAN railway operator NSB has been awarded a 10-year contract to run passenger services on the Oslo - Gjøvik line from June 2006 until mid-2016.
The 123 km Gjøvikbanan was the first inter-city route in the country to be put out to tender, as one of three pilot projects for the introduction of competition to the Norwegian rail network. Three consortia had submitted bids by the February 7 deadline (RG 3.05 p116).
The winning bid was submitted by NSB Anbud AS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the railway that was formed to compete for future operating contracts. According to Transport Minister Torild Skogsholm, the new contract will provide a better level of service and improved passenger comfort, whilst cutting the annual level of support for the route from NKr80m to NKr70m.
Additional evening services will lift the number of through trains between Oslo and Gjøvik from nine to 11 per day, and local services to Jaren will also be enhanced. Refurbished trainsets will offer improved accessibility and comfort for passengers.
