Potential train strike next week could severely impact services

Norway's railway system faces the prospect of significant disruption as 132 employees are slated for a potential strike starting next Wednesday. The national railway company, Vy, has warned that the RE10 train line, connecting Drammen and Lillehammer, will be particularly hard-hit.

According to Vy's statement, the strike action, if it proceeds, will primarily involve conductors and train drivers from Hamar and Lillehammer. This could lead to a drastic reduction, or complete cessation, of train services between Eidsvoll and Lillehammer. While the full extent of the impact on other lines is still unclear, Vy indicated that some additional train departures across the Eastern region of Norway might also be canceled.

“

If there is a strike, many conductors and train drivers from Hamar and Lillehammer will strike. This means that very few or no trains will run between Eidsvoll and Lillehammer.

Intensive mediation efforts are scheduled to take place on Monday and Tuesday, hosted by the National Mediator. Unions Norsk Lokomotivførerforbund, Norsk Jernbaneforbund, and Delta are set to negotiate with Spekter, the organization representing the railway companies.

Erik Røhne, Group Director at Vy Tog, expressed the company's commitment to reaching an agreement to avert the strike. He acknowledged that a strike would severely impact customers, especially those traveling north of Eidsvoll, and emphasized Vy's desire to avoid such an outcome.

“

We are entering the mediation with a desire to reach an agreement and avoid a strike. If a strike occurs, this strike action will severely impact our customers, especially north of Eidsvoll. We want to avoid that.