Flytoget

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Flytoget AS
Type State owned
Founded November 24, 1992[1]
Founder Norges Statsbaner[2]
Headquarters Oslo, Norway[1]
Area served Greater Oslo
Key people Thomas Havnegjerde (CEO)
Endre Skjørestad (Chair)[3]
Industry Rail transport
Revenue NOK 689 million (2007)[3]
Operating income ▲ NOK 192 million (2007)[3]
Net income ▲ NOK 182 million (2007)[3]
Employees 265 (2007)[3]
Parent Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry[3]
Website www.flytoget.no

Flytoget AS (branded in English as the Airport Express Train) is a high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo, Norway, in 19 minutes.[4] The sixteen BM71 trains run on the Gardermobanen high-speed railway line, normally every ten minutes, with every other service continuing westwards to Asker. These serve eight stops, with plans to extend to Drammen in 2009.

Flytoget transported 5.4 million passengers in 2007[3], a 34% market share of airport ground transport.[5] The service is the only high-speed rail service in operation in Norway.[6] The company was founded in 1992 and operations started in 1998; during construction the tunnel Romeriksporten had a leak, draining two lakes and delaying the opening the tunnel one year. Flytoget is owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Contents

[edit] History

A BM71 Airport Express Train ready for departure from Oslo S.
A BM71 Airport Express Train ready for departure from Oslo S.

When the Norwegian Parliament on October 8, 1992, decided to build a new central airport for Eastern Norway, they also decided that the main mode of ground transport should be railway. While the previous airport, Oslo Airport, Fornebu, was located just outside the city limits, the new airport Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, would be located 50 kilometers north of the city, outside the reach of existing public transport. The principle of the airport construction was that it was not to be footed by the tax payers; the entire airport would be built with borrowed money through Oslo Lufthavn AS, a subsidiary of Norwegian Airport Administration. The same principle was chosen for the airport rail link; the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) creating the limited company subsidiary NSB Gardermobanen AS, founded on November 24, 1992, to perform the construction of the line. It would be able to charge train operators using the line, channeling the payments to cover down payments and interest of the debt used to build the railway. Profit margin was estimated to 7.5%.[2]

[edit] Construction

Main article: Gardermobanen

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is located 50 kilometres (31 mi) north of Oslo, but not on the railway line Hovedbanen. With heavy traffic and many small stops until Lillestrøm, and continuing as single track northwards,[7] Hovedbanen would have to be supplemented by a parallel double track from Oslo, with a new route north of Kløfta to Eidsvoll; the 16 kilometres (10 mi) north of the airport allowing trains operating on Dovrebanen to Lillehammer and Trondheim to access the airport. The 64 kilometres (40 mi) line was named Gardermobanen.[6]

Gardermobanen was the second attempt to build high-speed rail in Norway, after the 35 kilometres (22 mi) line from Ski to Moss on Østfoldbanen. But no operation speeds exceeding 160 km/h are achieved there due to short distances and limitations to rolling stock, making Gardermobanen the first real high-speed railway line in Norway. Due to the domination of single track in Norway, Gardermobanen increased the total length of double track in the kingdom with two-thirds.[6]

Construction started in 1994.[2] An agreement for purchase of sixteen three-car electric multiple units was signed with ADtranz on February 23, 1995. Parliament decided October 1, 1996 that the construction company would also operate the new train service. The trains were delivered between September 19, 1997 and January 30, 1998[8], costing NOK 1.4 billion.[2]

[edit] Challenges

The lake Lutvann was severely dehydrated due to complications during the construction of Romeriksporten.
The lake Lutvann was severely dehydrated due to complications during the construction of Romeriksporten.
Main article: Romeriksporten

The greatest challenge was the 14,580 metres (47,800 ft) Romeriksporten railway tunnel from Ettestad, beside Oslo S, to Lillestrøm;[6] the longest railway tunnel in Norway, located underneath the recreational area Østmarka in geological highly unstable ground. In 1997 the water level in some of the lakes above the tunnel, including Lutvann and Nordre Puttjern, sank dramatically. After the leakages were discovered on February 3, 1997 sanctions requiring leakage removals were initiated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate. At the worst the tunnel leaked 3,000 liters of water per minute.[9]

The substance Rhoca-Gil was used to attempt fix the leakages, but failed to work properly. Not only did it not polymerize and fail to tighten the leak, it also intoxicated the surroundings with acrylamide. Instead manual fixing with concrete was necessary; that and cleaning up the toxic delayed the building the tunnel by one year and Romeriksporten opened on August 22, 1999.[9] Further complications arose due to conflicts between NSB Gardermobanen and the construction company, with the latter at one time stopping work for three weeks while the two quarreled in court.[10] Reports have shown lack of control- and reporting procedures during incidents that should have been addressed, but never taken seriously, in 1995. About sixty houses received damages due to the construction of the tunnel and an evaluation by the Ministry of Transport and Communications showed NOK 500 million went to fixing the leaks; claiming this to a large extent was unnecessary expenditure due to inefficient engineering procedures. It also criticized the administrative planning and organization of the overall construction of the railway.[9]

When the new airport opened on October 8, 1998 the Airport Express Train started; the trains had to use the old Hovedbanen form Oslo S to Lillestrøm, but could use the new high-speed line from Lillestrøm to Gardermoen. Flytoget was forced to only operate two trains per hour due to capacity restraints on Hovedbanen. Regular operations at full capacity using Romeriksporten started on August 22, 1999.[2]

[edit] Reorganization

A BM71 unit beside an NSB BM70 at Asker Station.
A BM71 unit beside an NSB BM70 at Asker Station.

Estimates for the project costs were NOK 4.3 billion, ±20%, but by completion they had ended at NOK 7.7 billion, of which NOK 1.3 billion were related to the leakages. The rest of the line had a cost exceedings of NOK 0.4 billion. The company had acquired financial costs of NOK 0.9 billion, so the company owed NOK 10.0 billion by 1999, including money spent on the new trains.[2]

The first steps of organizational restructure were taken June 29, 2000 when the CEO of NSB, Osmund Ueland, was fired due to several incidents related to the operations of NSB, not just Gardermobanen.[11] Einar Enger took over as new CEO on February 26, 2001.[12]

The debt in NSB Gardermobanen had become unmanageable and in April 2000 parliament accepted that it would not be possible to make Gardermobanen, with the current structure, the profitable venture predicted in 1992. From January 1, 2001 the company changed name to Flytoget AS, retaining ownership of the trains and operations and kept as a subsidiary of NSB. The tracks and infrastructure were transfered to the Norwegian National Rail Administration (Jernbaneverket), who owns the rest of the Norwegian railway network. All debt was restored and covered by the state, and a vehicle excise duty was implemented on Gardermobanen to cover the management and maintenance of the line, to be paid by all users.[2]

On December 9, 2002, parliament decided that Flytoget AS would become a separate railway company from January 1, 2003, owned directly by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.[2] One year later the ownership was transfered to the Ministry of Trade and Industry as part of a cleanup of ownership between the departments.[13] As part of process the current CEO Thomas Havnegjerde was appointed in June 2002,[14] and the current Chair Endre Skjørestad in January 2003; who took over the position form Einar Enger, NSB's director.[15]

[edit] Operations

Flytoget
KBFa
0:00 Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
BHF
0:12 Lillestrøm
TUNNEL1
Romeriksporten (14,580 m)
BHF
0:22 Oslo S
TUNNELa
Oslo Tunnel (3,632 m)
tBHF
0:27 Nationaltheatret
TUNNELe
BHF
0:32 Skøyen
BHF
0:34 Lysaker
BHF
0:42 Sandvika
xKBFe
0:48 Asker
exTUNNEL1
Lieråsen Tunnel (10,732 m)
exBHF
Drammen

Departures operate every ten minutes from Oslo S to the airport. Half of the trains originate at Asker, making four intermediate stops before Oslo S, and again at Lillestrøm. The other half go directly from Oslo S to Gardermoen. On Saturdays, Sunday mornings and in most of July, Flytoget does not operate the direct trains from Oslo S; only the 20-minute headway all-stop trains.[16] While the services northeastwards from Oslo S to the airport use the high-speed line Gardermobanen, those westwards towards Asker use Drammenbanen built in 1870-72;[7] so while the 48 kilometres (30 mi) from Oslo S to the airport can be done in 19 minutes, the 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Asker to Oslo S takes 26 minutes. The latter does however include stops at five stations: Nationaltheatret, Skøyen, Lysaker, Sandvika and Asker.[16]

Competition is offered from other means of ground transport and by NSB who operate trains from Oslo to the airport, including one hourly departure with line 450 of the Oslo Commuter Rail north to Eidsvoll and south to Oslo, Drammen and Kongsberg;[17] one regional train hourly north to Hamar and Lillehammer and south to Vestfold;[18] and five daily express trains to Trondheim calling Oslo Airport Station, including one night train.[19]

The price of a ticket to Oslo is NOK 160, though higher if departing from Sandvika or Asker. Reduced fairs with 50% discount are offered to senior citizens, children, youth under 21 years, students, benefit recipients and military personnel.[20] Flytoget tickets are not valid on NSB trains, and vice versa. NSB tickets are generally cheaper, though not for some groups with reduced fare; for instance students are granted a greater discount with Flytoget than with NSB.[21][20] Ticket can either be bought at vending machines or as e-tickets; there is no seat reservation.[22]

Flytoget boosts a high service quality, with 96% of departures arriving within 3 minutes of schedule and only 0.4% of departures canceled.[4] Part of this is due to the airport express trains receiving priority over other trains in the limited capacity around Oslo.[13] Flytoget was announced to have the most satisfied, and the fourth most loyal customers of all Norwegian companies in 2008, by the customer satisfaction survey conducted by the Norwegian School of Management.[23] The same year Flytoget was declared the best work place in Norway by Great Place to Work.[24]

[edit] Stations

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the destination of passengers with Flytoget, illustrated with Boeing 737 aircraft from Norwegian and Scandinavian.
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the destination of passengers with Flytoget, illustrated with Boeing 737 aircraft from Norwegian and Scandinavian.
A BM71 unit passing out of the Oslo Tunnel and into Oslo S.
A BM71 unit passing out of the Oslo Tunnel and into Oslo S.
Station Distance[25] Time[16] Fare[20] Reduced fare[20]
Oslo Airport 0.00 km 0 min n/a n/a
Lillestrøm 30.90 km 12 min NOK 120 NOK 60
Oslo Central Station 48.07 km 19 / 22 min NOK 160 NOK 80
Nationaltheatret 49.50 km 27 min NOK 160 NOK 80
Skøyen 52.43 km 32 min NOK 160 NOK 80
Lysaker 55.07 km 34 min NOK 160 NOK 80
Sandvika 62.24 km 42 min NOK 190 NOK 95
Asker 71.93 km 48 min NOK 190 NOK 95

[edit] Future plans

In 2005 the first part of Askerbanen opened between Sandvika and Asker, with new double track running parallel to the old Drammenbanen, allowing quicker travel times to Asker.[26] The second section, between Lysaker and Sandvika, is planned to open in 2011, and will reduce travel time west of Lysaker by about seven minutes. The project includes a full upgrade of Lysaker Station.[27]

Flytoget has announced that it will be extending all services to Asker onwards to Drammen in 2009,[28] after upgrades have been made to Drammenbanen, including the Lieråsen Tunnel, and a new parking lot at Drammen Station, in total costing NOK 20 million.[29][30]

[edit] Rolling stock

Interior of the Airport Express Train
Interior of the Airport Express Train
Main article: BM71

The company operates sixteen BM71 three-car electric multiple unit delivered in 1997-98 and built by ADtranz at Strømmen. They are based on the Swedish X2 operated by SJ in the X 2000 intercity service, and developed by ASEA during the 1980s. The BM71 are nearly identical to the NSB BM73, save the 71-series lacking one car, a different interior and tilting mechanism. Both have chosen to not use the original locomotive, instead installing one powered bogie in each car. The 71-series is built for maximum operating speeds of 210 km/h, but have achieved higher in test speeds.[8]

Among the features are pressure-tight cabins to allow comfortable travel through tunnels at high speeds, and step-free access to the cars; instead steps are inside the trains. This has been criticized to be in non-conformance with public accessibility policy.[31] The multiple units can only operate in fixed sets of three cars, but up to three sets can be run together. Flytoget regularly uses double sets to create six-car trains. [8] In 2008-09 all units will be refit with an additional middle car by Bombardier Transportation, increasing capacity by 40%.[32]

Unlike the BM71, the sister trains in service with NSB where prone with trouble, having to operate on hundred-year-old infrastructure on cross-mountain services; the BM71 had more lenient operating conditions thanks to better infrastructure. The only incident to ground all the BM71 trains occurred June 17, 2000 at Nelaug when a BM73 train operated by NSB derailed because of stress on the axle. Unlike the NSB trains, the airport express trains where back in service the next day,[33] the 73-series having to wait another month.[34]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Brønnøysund Register Centre. Nøkkelopplysninger Flytoget AS (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2008-05-20.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Flytoget AS. History. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Flytoget (2008). Annual Report 2007 (Norwegian).
  4. ^ a b Flytoget AS. About Flytoget, the Airport Express Train. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  5. ^ Flytoget AS (2007-10-21). Rekordresultat gir utbytte (Norwegian).
  6. ^ a b c d Jernbaneverket (2007). Jernbanestatistikk 2006.
  7. ^ a b Norsk Jernbaneklubb (1994). Banedata '94 (in Norwegian). ISBN 8290286155. 
  8. ^ a b c Aspenberg, Nils Carl (2001). Elektrolok i Norge (in Norwegian). Oslo: Baneforlaget. ISBN 82-91448-42-6. 
  9. ^ a b c Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications (1999). Særskilt om Romeriksporten (Norwegian).
  10. ^ Aftenposten (1997-04-14). NSB og SRG barket sammen i namsretten (Norwegian).
  11. ^ Verdens Gang (2000-06-29). Ueland fikk sparken i NSB (Norwegian).
  12. ^ Verdens Gang (2001-02-26). Ny mann på nytt spor? (Norwegian).
  13. ^ a b Boarding (2004-02-12). Flytoget til Nærings- og handelsdepartementet (Norwegian).
  14. ^ Flytoget. About the Organisation. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  15. ^ Boarding (2003-01-23). Endre Skjørestad ny styreleder.
  16. ^ a b c Flytoget AS (2008-01-06). From Oslo Airport.
  17. ^ Norges Statsbaner (2008-01-06). Kongsberg-Eidsvoll.
  18. ^ Norges Statsbaner (2008-01-06). Skien-Lillehammer.
  19. ^ Norges Statsbaner (2008-01-06). Oslo-Trondheim.
  20. ^ a b c d Flytoget AS. Fares. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  21. ^ Norges Statsbaner. Studentrabatt (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  22. ^ Flytoget AS. Tickets. Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  23. ^ Norwegian School of Management. (2008-05-07). Flytoget vinner kundetilfredshetsprisen 2008.
  24. ^ Great Place to Work (2008). Norges Beste Arbeidsplasser 2008 (Norwegian).
  25. ^ Jernbaneverket. Stasjonsoversikt Kongsberg - Oslo - Eidsvoll from Oslo Airport (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2008-05-24.
  26. ^ Jernbaneverket (2005-08-29). Sandvika-Asker åpnet (Norwegian).
  27. ^ Jernbaneverket (2007). Sandvika - Lysaker fra to til fire spor.
  28. ^ Drammens Tidende (2008-05-29). Tvinger frem løsning (Norwegian).
  29. ^ Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications (2007-03-27). Flytoget- til Drammen frå juni 2008 (Norwegian).
  30. ^ Jernbaneverket (2007-03-23). Flytoget til Drammen (Norwegian).
  31. ^ Norwegian State Council on Disability. Langt igjen til universell utforming (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
  32. ^ Flytoget AS. Flytoget inngår kontrakt med Bombardier Transportation om kjøp av nye mellomvogner (Norwegian). Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
  33. ^ Verdens Gang (2000-06-18). Utmatting årsak til avsporing (Norwegian).
  34. ^ Verdens Gang (2000-07-13). Signatur endelig i drift (Norwegian).
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