Railway employees are angry at the government, which is accused of pursuing right-wing policies. Therefore, all train services in Eastern Norway will stop between 11 AM and 1 PM on Tuesday.
“The government is running from its promises in the Hurdal platform. Instead of consolidating the railway, the right-wing railway policy is continued – with even more fragmentation. Now it’s Eastern Norway’s turn,” the Norwegian Railway Association wrote in a press release.
They are disappointed with what the government is doing with the railway in Eastern Norway. The government has decided to cancel the planned tender competition. But still, the train service in Eastern Norway will be awarded through what the association calls a competition regime.
The Norwegian Railway Directorate shall enter into agreements with either Vy or Flytoget, both of which are state-owned companies. They have divided the train offer into two different agreements: Eastern Norway 1 and Eastern Norway 2. The Directorate will negotiate with Vy about Eastern Norway 1, while they have not decided on Eastern Norway 2.
“A demanding buyer”
The Directorate writes that they shall “be a demanding buyer on behalf of the state and the travelers.”
“Dividing train services in and around Oslo is not a good idea. Employees’ organizations feel led astray,” union leader Jane Brekkhus Sæthre in the Norwegian Railway Association (NJF) stated.
“This strike is about stopping this whole circus with division, opening up to competition and privatization, and that Norway gets an efficient railway for the benefit of passengers and employees,” Rolf Ringdal in the National Union of Norwegian Locomotivemen stated.
Trains stopped from 11 AM to 1 PM
Vy states that all their trains in Eastern Norway will stop providing service from 11 AM to 1 PM on Tuesday. This also applies to the Bergen line between Oslo and Hønefoss and the Gjøvik line.
In addition, the trains of Go-Ahead Norway, Vy Tog AS, and SJ Norway on the routes Oslo-Kongsberg / Hønefoss / Lillehammer will also stop, Bane Nor stated.
“As a result of the strike, there will, unfortunately, be delays and canceled departures also for a period after the strike has ended,” Bane Nor noted.
Vy states that trains will stop at the nearest station by 11 AM and stand still until the strike is over 1 PM. There will be no bus replacement for trains or other alternative transport for the trains affected by the strike.
“If you choose not to travel because your train is affected by a strike, you can cancel the ticket before departure and get your money back. This also applies to low-cost tickets if the ticket was purchased before midnight on the night of June 4,” Vy stated.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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