Askerbanen
Encyclopedia
The Asker Line is a 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) railway line between Asker
and Sandvika
in Norway
. The line runs along the same corridor as the Drammen Line, offering increased capacity, speed and regularity on the rail network west of Oslo
. The first part opened in 2005, and in 2011 an extension will open from Sandvika to Lysaker
. An extension to Skøyen
in Oslo will perhaps be built after 2020. Most of the railway is in tunnel and is dimensioned for 160 km/h (99.4 mph) running. The entire railway is electrified at . The first section cost , while the second is budgeted at NOK 2.7 billion.
The purpose of the new line is to allow regional and express trains to run directly between Asker
, Sandvika
and Lysaker
, without being slowed and delayed by commuter trains that make frequent stops at intermediate stations. The Asker Line will improve regularity, and capacity will increase from 12 to 26 trains per hour in each direction. Travel time from Asker to Skøyen
will be reduced from 20 to 13 minutes. The line has received criticism for not being a true high-speed
line, and for Lysaker Station not being in compliance with accessibility requirements. Similar parallel, high-speed lines have been or will be built northeast and southeast of Oslo.
The line is built, owned and maintained by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. At Sandvika, the line connects to the Drammen Line, which runs to Oslo Central Station in the east. At Asker, the line connects to the Spikkestad and Drammen Lines; the latter connects to the Sørland- and Vestfold Line at Drammen
. The line is served by Norges Statsbaner with regional trains to Vestfold
, Buskerud
and Telemark
, and the express trains along the Sørland Line and the Bergen Line; in addition, the Airport Express Train
operates from Asker to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
. During night, freight trains also use the line.
, to Eidsvoll
, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
started planning additional high-speed lines west and southeast of Oslo. The Asker and Follo Lines would allow express and regional trains to travel faster and more reliably to Drammen and Ski
, leaving the old tracks for slower freight trains, and commuter trains making frequent stops. Construction of the Follo Line will, at the earliest, be completed in 2015.
The Gardermoen Line had shown that profits could be made by operating passenger trains, but that it would not be possible to debt-finance short-distance tracks in Eastern Norway. Therefore, a conventional financial method for the Asker Line was started. While the railway is entirely financed through allocation through the state budget
, the prioritizing was secured through a political compromise for investments in Greater Oslo, the Oslo Package 2
. Financing of a diverse range of road and public transport investments—including new motorways, extension of the rapid transit and new railways—would be made through a "package". This involved both state, county and toll
funding being collected in one lot, and then redistributing the funds to the agencies responsible for the investments.
Prior to the construction, the Western Corridor had a capacity of 12–14 trains per hour in each direction west of Skøyen. The first section of the Asker Line, from Asker to Sandvika, increased the capacity with an additional two trains. The opening of Lysaker Station will increase capacity with four more, since all stations along the line between Oslo and Drammen will then have four platforms
. When the whole line is completed, total capacity in the Western Corridor will be 26 trains per hour. This is equivalent to 5,500 cars per hour, and exceeds the capacity of a four-lane motorway.
The Asker Line is also a necessary component to allow a high-speed route to built along the Vestfold and Ringerike Lines. The former is planned to branch off at Drammen, while the latter would branch of at Sandvika, and become a 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) shortening of the Bergen Line. The first sections of the upgraded Vestfold Line opened in 1995 and 2001, and additional proposals are under planning for the remaining sections.
, allowing the same speeds as the Asker Line to Drammen. The Spikkestad Line is only used by the commuter trains to Spikkestad
. Along with building the line, Asker Station was upgraded from five to six platforms, and also received a new, artistically decorated underpass between the platforms. The station is located 23.16 kilometres (14.4 mi) from Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) at 104.6 metres (343.2 ft) elevation.
, Minister of Transport
from the Liberal Party, on 27 August. This section is dominated by the 3590 metres (2.2 mi) Tanum Tunnel
and the 3790 metres (2.4 mi) Skaugum Tunnel
, and cost NOK 3.7 billion. For the last 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) of track west of Sandvika, the Asker and Drammen Line have been built along the same, new, right-of-way. The Drammen Line, leaves Slependen Station
, and joins the Asker Line just after the latter leaves the Tanum Tunnel.
, for not permitting high through speeds. A sharp curve before the station will not permit trains to travel at more than 80 km/h (49.7 mph), even if they are not scheduled to stop at the station. This will increase travel time, and hinder the efficiency of the line should it be used later for high-speed lines to Vestfold or Western Norway. The proposed Ringerike Line would demerge just west of Sandvika Station.
. There was local debate whether the tunnel should be built using a tunnel boring machine
or by drilling and blasting
. The latter was preferred by the Rail Administration, since it allowed a shorter construction time, and a NOK 700 million saving. Total budget is NOK 2,787 million.
Lysaker Station serves as the main public transport hub for Eastern Bærum, parts of Western Oslo and Fornebu
. Within 800 metres (2,624.7 ft), there are 20,000 jobs, with an additional 10–15,000 in development. Located 7 kilometres (4 mi) west of Oslo S, it is receiving a major overhaul between 2006 and 2009, including 1.2 km (0.745647283979768 mi) of new track. The current station will be entirely replaced, and the number of platforms increased from two to four. More than one thousand buses depart from Lysaker Station each day, and it has been proposed as the terminus of the Fornebu Line—a tram
way originally proposed as a people mover
.
The NOK 1 billion renovation has become a scandal, due to the station being built in a curve, and thus does not have straight platforms. This will become a security problem; in addition it will create a gap up to 40 centimetres (15.7 in) between the train and the platform, hindering accessibility to the trains for disabled people. Norges Statsbaner claims they will have to buy new trains due to this station alone, costing the state-owned company NOK 1.5 billion. Minister of Transport, Liv Signe Navarsete
from the Centre Party
, has said that resolving the problems by building a straight station is not an alternative, since it would cost an additional hundred-millions of NOK, and delay the new station several years.
trains, that do not stop on the intermediate stations. Other commuter trains use the old Drammen Line, along with freight trains. However, in 2006, the night freight trains were moved to the new line, despite operating at less than 100 km/h (62.1 mph). The Flytoget
airport express train operates along the line three times per hour using Class 71 multiple units, connecting the main stations west of Oslo to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.
With the opening of the new line, NSB stopped operating their commuter trains from Drammen to Oslo with stops at Høn
, Hvalstad
and Billingstad
. Passengers from Drammen now need to transfer in Asker, but all other passengers have travel times reduced from 48 to 36 minutes.
Asker
Asker is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Viken traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Asker. The municipality is a suburb of Oslo, the national capital...
and Sandvika
Sandvika
is the administrative centre of the municipality of Bærum in Norway. It was declared a city by the municipal council in Bærum on 4 June 2003.Sandvika is situated approximately west of Oslo. It is the main transportation hub for Western Bærum, and has a combined bus and railway station. Sandvika is...
in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. The line runs along the same corridor as the Drammen Line, offering increased capacity, speed and regularity on the rail network west of Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
. The first part opened in 2005, and in 2011 an extension will open from Sandvika to Lysaker
Lysaker
Lysaker is a section of and a postal code area of the Norwegian municipality of Bærum, just west of Oslo.Geographically, it is bordered by Lysakerelven on the east, which also forms the border to Oslo; Fornebu to the south; Stabekk to the west; and Jar to the north...
. An extension to Skøyen
Skøyen
Skøyen is a neighborhood of Oslo, Norway. It is located in the western part of the city, in the borough of Ullern.The name "Skøyen" comes from Old Norse Skǫðin, of unknown etymology....
in Oslo will perhaps be built after 2020. Most of the railway is in tunnel and is dimensioned for 160 km/h (99.4 mph) running. The entire railway is electrified at . The first section cost , while the second is budgeted at NOK 2.7 billion.
The purpose of the new line is to allow regional and express trains to run directly between Asker
Asker Station
Asker is a railway station located in downtown Asker in Akershus, Norway. The station serves as the main public transportation hub for the municipalities located around the Asker Line, the Drammen Line and the Spikkestad Line. The station was opened with the Drammen Line in 1872...
, Sandvika
Sandvika Station
Sandvika Station is a railway station located in downtown Sandvika in Bærum, Akershus, Norway. The station serves as a local public transport hub and is located on the Asker Line and the Drammen Line. The station was opened with the Drammen Line in 1872. In 2005 the Asker Line opened allowing...
and Lysaker
Lysaker Station
Lysaker Station is Norway's third-largest railway station, located at Lysaker on the Drammen Line. It serves express, regional, local and Airport Express trains. The station opened in 1872, and is located west of Oslo S at elevation...
, without being slowed and delayed by commuter trains that make frequent stops at intermediate stations. The Asker Line will improve regularity, and capacity will increase from 12 to 26 trains per hour in each direction. Travel time from Asker to Skøyen
Skøyen Station
Skøyen is a railway station located in Oslo, Norway and is part of Drammen Line. The station serves commuter trains, some regional trains and the Flytoget airport express train service. Skøyen station is owned and operated by the Norwegian National Rail Administration.Though some continue on, the...
will be reduced from 20 to 13 minutes. The line has received criticism for not being a true high-speed
High-speed rail
High-speed rail is a type of passenger rail transport that operates significantly faster than the normal speed of rail traffic. Specific definitions by the European Union include for upgraded track and or faster for new track, whilst in the United States, the U.S...
line, and for Lysaker Station not being in compliance with accessibility requirements. Similar parallel, high-speed lines have been or will be built northeast and southeast of Oslo.
The line is built, owned and maintained by the Norwegian National Rail Administration. At Sandvika, the line connects to the Drammen Line, which runs to Oslo Central Station in the east. At Asker, the line connects to the Spikkestad and Drammen Lines; the latter connects to the Sørland- and Vestfold Line at Drammen
Drammen Station
Drammen is a railway station located in downtown Drammen in Buskerud, Norway. The station is the terminus of both the Randsfjord Line, the Drammen Line and the Vestfold Line...
. The line is served by Norges Statsbaner with regional trains to Vestfold
Vestfold
is a county in Norway, bordering Buskerud and Telemark. The county administration is in Tønsberg.Vestfold is located west of the Oslofjord, as the name indicates. It includes many smaller, but well-known towns in Norway, such as Larvik, Sandefjord, Tønsberg and Horten. The river Numedalslågen runs...
, Buskerud
Buskerud
is a county in Norway, bordering Akershus, Oslo, Oppland, Sogn og Fjordane, Hordaland, Telemark, and Vestfold. The county administration is located in Drammen.-Geography:...
and Telemark
Telemark
is a county in Norway, bordering Vestfold, Buskerud, Hordaland, Rogaland and Aust-Agder. The county administration is in Skien. Until 1919 the county was known as Bratsberg amt.-Location:...
, and the express trains along the Sørland Line and the Bergen Line; in addition, the Airport Express Train
Flytoget
is a Norwegian high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in nineteen minutes. Run by Flytoget AS , it operates on the high-speed Gardermoen Line using sixteen GMB Class 71 electric trains. Normal service frequency is once every ten minutes, with half...
operates from Asker to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport Station
Oslo Airport Station , also known as Gardermoen Station, is a railway station located in the airport terminal building of Oslo Airport, Gardermoen in Norway...
. During night, freight trains also use the line.
Background
Following the construction of the high-speed Gardermoen Line from Oslo, via Oslo Airport, GardermoenOslo Airport, Gardermoen
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen is the principal airport serving Oslo, Norway. It acts as the main domestic hub and international airport for Norway, and the second-busiest airport in the Nordic countries. A hub for Scandinavian Airlines and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and a focus city for Widerøe, it is...
, to Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
, the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications
The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Transportation and Communications is a Norwegian ministry established in 1946, and is responsible for transportation and communication infrastructure in Norway. It is led by Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa...
started planning additional high-speed lines west and southeast of Oslo. The Asker and Follo Lines would allow express and regional trains to travel faster and more reliably to Drammen and Ski
Ski, Norway
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the traditional region of Follo. The administrative centre of the municipality is the town of Ski. Ski was separated from the municipality of Kråkstad on 1 July 1931 to form a separate municipality...
, leaving the old tracks for slower freight trains, and commuter trains making frequent stops. Construction of the Follo Line will, at the earliest, be completed in 2015.
The Gardermoen Line had shown that profits could be made by operating passenger trains, but that it would not be possible to debt-finance short-distance tracks in Eastern Norway. Therefore, a conventional financial method for the Asker Line was started. While the railway is entirely financed through allocation through the state budget
State budget of Norway
The State budget of Norway is a budget passed by the Norwegian legislature, Storting, each year. It accumulates all income and expenses for the Government of Norway. The document defines the taxes to be collected, and what expenses will be accomplished....
, the prioritizing was secured through a political compromise for investments in Greater Oslo, the Oslo Package 2
Oslo Package 2
The Oslo Package 2 or O2 is a political agreement for financing investments in public transport in Oslo and Akershus, Norway. The program runs from 2001 to 2011, and includes many large and small investments in railways, the Oslo Tramway, the Oslo Metro and infrastructure for buses. Total budget is...
. Financing of a diverse range of road and public transport investments—including new motorways, extension of the rapid transit and new railways—would be made through a "package". This involved both state, county and toll
Toll road
A toll road is a privately or publicly built road for which a driver pays a toll for use. Structures for which tolls are charged include toll bridges and toll tunnels. Non-toll roads are financed using other sources of revenue, most typically fuel tax or general tax funds...
funding being collected in one lot, and then redistributing the funds to the agencies responsible for the investments.
Prior to the construction, the Western Corridor had a capacity of 12–14 trains per hour in each direction west of Skøyen. The first section of the Asker Line, from Asker to Sandvika, increased the capacity with an additional two trains. The opening of Lysaker Station will increase capacity with four more, since all stations along the line between Oslo and Drammen will then have four platforms
Railway platform
A railway platform is a section of pathway, alongside rail tracks at a train station, metro station or tram stop, at which passengers may board or alight from trains or trams. Almost all stations for rail transport have some form of platforms, with larger stations having multiple platforms...
. When the whole line is completed, total capacity in the Western Corridor will be 26 trains per hour. This is equivalent to 5,500 cars per hour, and exceeds the capacity of a four-lane motorway.
The Asker Line is also a necessary component to allow a high-speed route to built along the Vestfold and Ringerike Lines. The former is planned to branch off at Drammen, while the latter would branch of at Sandvika, and become a 60 kilometres (37.3 mi) shortening of the Bergen Line. The first sections of the upgraded Vestfold Line opened in 1995 and 2001, and additional proposals are under planning for the remaining sections.
Route
Asker Station
Asker Station is the end of the Asker Line, and trains must continue westwards along the Spikkestad Line or the Drammen Line. The latter immediately enters the Lieråsen TunnelLieråsen Tunnel
Lieråsen Tunnel is a railway tunnel on Drammenbanen between Asker Station and Lier Station in Norway. The 10,723 m long tunnel was opened in 1973 and was the longest railway tunnel in the country until Romeriksporten was opened in 1999....
, allowing the same speeds as the Asker Line to Drammen. The Spikkestad Line is only used by the commuter trains to Spikkestad
Spikkestad Station
Spikkestad Station is a railway station located at Spikkestad in Røyken, Norway and the terminus of Spikkestadbanen. The station was opened as part of Drammenbanen in 1885, but in 1973 the new Lieråsen Tunnel opened through Lieråsen, and the old part of Drammenbanen was transformed to a commuter...
. Along with building the line, Asker Station was upgraded from five to six platforms, and also received a new, artistically decorated underpass between the platforms. The station is located 23.16 kilometres (14.4 mi) from Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) at 104.6 metres (343.2 ft) elevation.
Asker–Sandvika
Construction of the section between Asker and Sandvika started in 2001, and was completed in 2005. It was officially opened by Torild SkogsholmTorild Skogsholm
Torhild Skogsholm is a Norwegian politician . She was Minister of Transport and Communications from 2001 to 2005. She is now the director of the Oslo tram company Oslo Sporvognsdrift....
, Minister of Transport
Minister of Transport and Communications (Norway)
The Minister of Transport and Communications is a Councillor of State and Chief of the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications. Since 20 October 2009, the position has been held by Magnhild Meltveit Kleppa of the Centre Party...
from the Liberal Party, on 27 August. This section is dominated by the 3590 metres (2.2 mi) Tanum Tunnel
Tanum Tunnel
Tanum Tunnel is long double track railway tunnel on the Asker Line, between Jong in Bærum and Åstad in Asker, Norway. It was built as part of the first state of the Asker Line, between Asker and Sandvika; construction started in February 2002 and the tunnel opened on 27 August 2005...
and the 3790 metres (2.4 mi) Skaugum Tunnel
Skaugum Tunnel
The Skaugum Tunnel is long railway tunnel in Asker, Norway, on the Asker Line. The tunnel runs between Asker Station and Solstad and was built as part of the first stage of the Asker Line, between Asker and Sandvika. Construction started in February 2002 and the tunnel opened on 27 August 2005...
, and cost NOK 3.7 billion. For the last 1.5 kilometre (0.93205910497471 mi) of track west of Sandvika, the Asker and Drammen Line have been built along the same, new, right-of-way. The Drammen Line, leaves Slependen Station
Slependen Station
Slependen Station is a railway station located at Slependen in Bærum, Norway on the Drammen Line. The station is served by the Oslo Commuter Rail line 400 operated by Norges Statsbaner with two hourly services.-History:...
, and joins the Asker Line just after the latter leaves the Tanum Tunnel.
Sandvika Station
Sandvika Station is 14.14 km (8.8 mi) from Oslo S, at 12 metres (39.4 ft) elevation. The track layout has been criticized by among others Norsk BaneNorsk Bane
Norsk Bane is a Norwegian limited company that is working on plans to build a high-speed railway throughout large portions of Norway. The company has developed detailed plans for numerous lines and claims they would be able to build and operate a high-speed network in Norway, if granted permission...
, for not permitting high through speeds. A sharp curve before the station will not permit trains to travel at more than 80 km/h (49.7 mph), even if they are not scheduled to stop at the station. This will increase travel time, and hinder the efficiency of the line should it be used later for high-speed lines to Vestfold or Western Norway. The proposed Ringerike Line would demerge just west of Sandvika Station.
Sandvika–Lysaker
Construction of the second section started in 2007, and is estimated to be completed by 2011. The section between Sandvika and Lysaker will be 6.7 kilometres (4.2 mi), most of which will run through the 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) Bærum TunnelBærum Tunnel
The Bærum Tunnel is a long double track railway tunnel in Bærum, Norway. Running between Marstranderveien and Engervannet, it will make up most of the long section of the Asker Line between Lysaker Station and Sandvika Station, which was taken into use on 26 August 2011. The tunnel was...
. There was local debate whether the tunnel should be built using a tunnel boring machine
Tunnel boring machine
A tunnel boring machine also known as a "mole", is a machine used to excavate tunnels with a circular cross section through a variety of soil and rock strata. They can bore through anything from hard rock to sand. Tunnel diameters can range from a metre to almost 16 metres to date...
or by drilling and blasting
Drilling and blasting
Before the advent of tunnel boring machines, drilling and blasting was the only economical way of excavating long tunnels through hard rock, where digging is not possible. Even today, the method is still used in the construction of tunnels, such as in the construction of the Lötschberg Base Tunnel...
. The latter was preferred by the Rail Administration, since it allowed a shorter construction time, and a NOK 700 million saving. Total budget is NOK 2,787 million.
Lysaker Station
Fornebu
Fornebu is a peninsular area in the suburban municipality of Bærum in Norway, bordering western parts of Oslo.Oslo Airport, Fornebu served as the main airport for Oslo and the country since before WWII and until the evening of October 7, 1998, when it was closed down...
. Within 800 metres (2,624.7 ft), there are 20,000 jobs, with an additional 10–15,000 in development. Located 7 kilometres (4 mi) west of Oslo S, it is receiving a major overhaul between 2006 and 2009, including 1.2 km (0.745647283979768 mi) of new track. The current station will be entirely replaced, and the number of platforms increased from two to four. More than one thousand buses depart from Lysaker Station each day, and it has been proposed as the terminus of the Fornebu Line—a tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
way originally proposed as a people mover
People mover
A people mover or automated people mover is a fully automated, grade-separated mass transit system.The term is generally used only to describe systems serving relatively small areas such as airports, downtown districts or theme parks, but is sometimes applied to considerably more complex automated...
.
The NOK 1 billion renovation has become a scandal, due to the station being built in a curve, and thus does not have straight platforms. This will become a security problem; in addition it will create a gap up to 40 centimetres (15.7 in) between the train and the platform, hindering accessibility to the trains for disabled people. Norges Statsbaner claims they will have to buy new trains due to this station alone, costing the state-owned company NOK 1.5 billion. Minister of Transport, Liv Signe Navarsete
Liv Signe Navarsete
Liv Signe Hundere Navarsete is the Norwegian Minister of Local Government and Regional Development and leader of the Center Party. She took office in 2005 serving in the Stoltenberg's Second Cabinet....
from the Centre Party
Centre Party (Norway)
The Centre Party is a centrist and agrarian political party in Norway, founded in 1920. The Centre Party's policy is not based on any of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th century, but has a focus on maintaining decentralised economic development and political decision-making.From its...
, has said that resolving the problems by building a straight station is not an alternative, since it would cost an additional hundred-millions of NOK, and delay the new station several years.
Lysaker–Skøyen
The last section is a proposed 2.1 kilometres (1.3 mi) section from Lysaker to Skøyen; the latter not being modified as part of the extension, since it was upgraded in 1999. The government has not set a date to start construction, but it will not be until at least 2020, since other projects will be prioritized over this section. No specific route has been finalized, and the project has been proposed to either run parallel to the current Drammen Line, or by placing all four tracks through a new tunnel. The former has been preferred by the Rail Administration, while the latter—which would cost NOK 1 billion more—has been preferred by the municipality. There are no intermediate commuter stations between Skøyen and Lysaker, so there is little regularity or speed potential to gain from the construction, since the Oslo Tunnel from Skøyen to Oslo Central Station will still remain a bottleneck with only two tracks. Advocates have claimed that there is no gain from building this section without building two additional tracks all the way to the central station.Operation
Norges Statsbaner (NSB) operates their express trains on the Bergen and Sørland Line on the Asker Line, along with the regional trains along the Vestfold Line. They also operate some of Oslo Commuter RailOslo Commuter Rail
Oslo Commuter Rail is a commuter rail centered in Oslo, Norway, connecting the capital to six counties in Eastern Norway. The system is operated by the Norwegian State Railways and its subsidiary NSB Gjøvikbanen, using Class 69 and Class 72 electric multiple units . The network spans eight routes...
trains, that do not stop on the intermediate stations. Other commuter trains use the old Drammen Line, along with freight trains. However, in 2006, the night freight trains were moved to the new line, despite operating at less than 100 km/h (62.1 mph). The Flytoget
Flytoget
is a Norwegian high-speed airport rail link connecting Oslo Airport, Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in nineteen minutes. Run by Flytoget AS , it operates on the high-speed Gardermoen Line using sixteen GMB Class 71 electric trains. Normal service frequency is once every ten minutes, with half...
airport express train operates along the line three times per hour using Class 71 multiple units, connecting the main stations west of Oslo to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.
With the opening of the new line, NSB stopped operating their commuter trains from Drammen to Oslo with stops at Høn
Høn Station
Høn Station is a railway station located at Vakås in Asker, Norway on the Drammen Line. The station is served by the Oslo Commuter Rail line 400 operated by Norges Statsbaner with two hourly services. The station was opened in 1930.-External links:*...
, Hvalstad
Hvalstad Station
Hvalstad Station is a railway station located at Hvalstad in Asker, Norway on the Drammen Line. The station is served by the Oslo Commuter Rail line 400 operated by Norges Statsbaner with two hourly services.-History:...
and Billingstad
Billingstad Station
Billingstad Station is a railway station located at Billingstad in Asker, Norway on Drammenbanen. The station is served by the Oslo Commuter Rail line 400 operated by Norges Statsbaner with two hourly services. The station was opened in 1919....
. Passengers from Drammen now need to transfer in Asker, but all other passengers have travel times reduced from 48 to 36 minutes.