07-08-2025
What is going on with Oslo's Metro?
Why is there metro chaos in Oslo?
Several subway stations are temporarily closed as part of a major upgrade aimed at improving speed and frequency on the Oslo subway. Ruter, the public transport authority in the capital region, has called the maintenance works
"The Great Metro Upgrade", and the project is living
up to the name. It's the largest upgrade in 60 years and includes four major projects.
These include a
brand-new metro line, the
Fornebu line,
with six stations connecting Fornebu in Bærum to Majorstuen, passing by areas including Skøyen and Lysaker, scheduled for completion in 2029.
The
Majorstuen
station is meanwhile being upgraded with
new entrances, a pedestrian and bike bridge, and larger platforms.
There will also be a
new digital signaling system
to
allow for closer intervals between trains and better overall flow, and the addition of
20 new 3-car trains
to boost capacity.
How is this affecting commuters?
The disruptions are impacting around 70,000 daily travelers. Ruter recommends using alternative transport such as trams and buses, although this usually means transfers and longer commutes.
For instance, a
commuter living in Majorstuen and working downtown now faces a
26-minute tram ride
, instead of a
10-minute metro trip, while a
student working at Majorstuen and studying at BI Business School in Nydalen is now likely to spend at least
40 minutes commuting, up from 17 minutes.
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What is the biggest headache?
The full closure of
Majorstuen station,
a central hub just west of the city centre, is causing the most disruption. Majorstuen is a key transit point close to shopping, offices, cafés, and the Vigeland Park tourist attraction.
Majorstuen and Nationaltheatret stations are fully closed u
ntil August 10th while
Metro trains will pass through Majorstuen
without stopping from August 11th to September 19th.
How long will it last?
The main disruptions will continue until
December 1st.
Although Majorstuen station will be partially reopened by September 19th, Stortinget station will be closed from November 4th to December 1st. Smaller service changes may occur with other stations and lines between August 10th and December 1st.
What can commuters do to avoid travel problems?
'Travelers need to stay updated before heading out' is the advice of Øystein Dahl Johansen, press officer at Ruter. He recommends checking changes regularly through Ruter
website
or the Ruter app and keeping an eye on the
interactive map.
How important is the Oslo Metro?
Very. In fact, more people ride the Oslo subway than all Norwegian trains combined. In 2023 alone, the subway had 111 million journeys,
compared
to 83 million on national trains. After the upgrade, subway capacity will increase by 20 percent.
