Norske tog’s long-term procurement plan
Modern, standardised and a sufficient number of trains - that is what Norske tog wants in the future. Norske tog has submitted av comprehensive replacement plan for old rolling stocks. It takes up to five years to procure new rolling stocks. Therefore, a long-term procurement plan until 2033 is an important tool to ensure delivery of a sufficient number of trains on a suitable time.
Train is a popular way of traveling, both for leisure and commuting passengers. People choose public transportation increasingly when traveling – it is practical, environment friendly and efficient. According to estimates from the Railway Directorate, the number of passenger travel will increase from 78 million in 2018 to 112 million in 2033. To meet the passenger growth, several new vehicles is necessary.
The oldest rolling stocks are 40 years old
At the same time, a big part of the rolling stocks in Norway are starting to get old. The average age of the current fleet is 18,8 years old. The oldest rolling stock material in Norway is more than 40 years old.
In other words, a larger part of the Norwegian vehicle fleet needs to be replaced in the following years. According to estimates from Norske tog, 187 new train sets is needed in the same time period, only to replace old trains sets that is being phased out. To meet the estimated increase in traffic growth, Norske tog estimates a need for additional 76 train sets.
Norske tog’s procurement and upgrade recommendations provides a total investment requirement of between NOK 30 and 50 billion until 2033. Somewhere between NOK 28 and 43 billion is related to procurement and between NOK 3 billion to 6 billion is related to upgrades.
Recommends fewer train classes
Norske tog, who is responsible for procure and manage train material to the passenger train operators Vy, SJ and Go-Ahead, has submitted a suggestion to the railway directorate’s work on crafting a long-term plan for train procurement and outfacing. You can read the long-term plan here (in Norwegian only).
In sum, Norske tog believes it is important to reduce the number of different Classes in the vehicle fleet. Today, Norske tog has 17 different Classes (motor coach and locomotives with coach) and we now recommend reducing to three main classes: Commuter trains, regional trains and long-distance trains.
According to Norske tog, fewer classes will make the procurement processes more effective. In addition, it will reduce the management and maintenance costs. According to estimates from Norske tog, fewer classes may reduce the yearly costs with more than NOK 100 million.