📋 Tender Overview
I expect Bane NOR to do everything they can to correct the error on the Follo Line. But information that has come to light gives cause for concern and we must get to the bottom of how we could end up in this situation where passengers do not get the train service they should have. Therefore we will have an external review that investigates the reasons why the Follo Line is now closed and that assesses what is needed to prevent something like this from happening again says Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygrd.The Storting has asked the Minister of Transport and Communications a number of questions about the problems associated with the Follo Line. In a reply to the Storting he writes that he is disappointed on behalf of all those who have looked forward to more departures and faster travel between the cities of stfold and Oslo and that the Follo Line must be opened to traffic as quickly as possible.The Follo Line is a very large and important project that will provide commuters with a good and long-awaited service. A great deal of money has been invested in the project and I fully share the concern expressed by the Storting.The reply to the Storting further statesThroughout the autumn I have been aware that Bane NOR worked hard to get the Blix Tunnel completed before the opening of the Follo Line and that there have been risks related to progress and costs but that the company has had this risk under control. At no time in its dialogue with the Ministry has Bane NOR raised challenges that could provide a basis for predicting the situation we unfortunately find ourselves in now.External reviewAs the Minister of Transport has previously announced an external review will be carried out according to the responseThe review shall include both the course prior to the specific incident and look at Bane NORs handling of the situation that occurred after the incident and until the errors have been corrected. The review will assess the project management in Bane NOR including the systems and culture for managing risk deviations and sharing information the practical compliance with these.This review is in addition to several processes that have been initiated and which are based on the problems the project has previously had. It is also the case that this Government is pursuing a new railway policy and that in the light of this new policy a broad review of the organisation of the entire railway sector is planned.New responses 16 JanuaryThe Minister of Transport and Communications has ordered new responses from Bane NOR and other key players. This report will be published on 16 January. Until we have more and good answers to what has happened and how it could happen the most important thing for me is that Bane NOR does everything the company can to ensure a quick and proper reopening. In the meantime the Norwegian Railway Directorate Vy and Bane NOR are working to ensure passengers the best possible alternative service in anticipation of the Follo Line reopening to traffic says Jon-Ivar Nygard.
