Go-Ahead launches landmark Norway rail service
- Inaugural Go-Ahead Nordic train left Stavanger for Oslo on 15 December
- Eight-year contract makes Norway the fifth overseas territory in Go-Ahead’s business
- The first rail contract to be awarded in Norway since market liberalised
Stavanger, Norway 15 December –British transport operator The Go-Ahead Group has launched Norway’s first privately-operated train service.
Go-Ahead Nordic’s inaugural service departed from Stavanger to Oslo at 06.47, representing the first journey of the new Norway South rail franchise.
The Norway South contract was awarded by the Norwegian authorities in October 2018. Go-Ahead – the owner of Southeastern and GTR in the UK - won the eight-year award with an optional two-year extension.
The new service covers three historic lines in Norway including the Jæren line, which dates back to 1878, as well as the Sørlandet and Arendal routes, covering a mixture of long-distance and suburban services across 5.5 million train kilometres.
David Brown, Chief Executive Officer at Go-Ahead said, “We are delighted to be given this opportunity to deliver Norway’s first contracted rail services.
“Working with the Norwegian authorities to bring our international rail expertise and our customer focus together to deliver Norway’s first contracted rail service is another step forward for Go-Ahead.”
The Norwegian contract further builds on Go-Ahead’s international footprint, which has already seen the FTSE-250 listed transport operator launch services in Ireland, Germany and Singapore.
Magnus Hedin, Managing Director of Go-Ahead Nordic commented: “Our focus is on customer satisfaction, reliability and local decisions taken with our partners.
“We will be a local operator who understands Norwegian transport needs and the local Norwegian customers, while benefiting from extensive experience in the UK.”
Go -Ahead Nordic is expecting to carry more new passengers on the Jaerbanen and Sörlandsbanen routes during the period 2020-2025.
Since its creation a year ago, Go-Ahead Nordic has recruited 244 conductors, drivers and administrators.