Consequences of new train services for commuters in Horten and Holmestrand – NRK Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio

Next year, a new train station will be opened in Horten with a new double track running through the municipality.

With the double track between Nykirke and Barkåker, it will be possible to run four trains an hour on the Vestfold Line.

Doesn’t that sound positive? But it’s not all good news for everyone.

Get worse train offers

The double track will be completed at the end of 2025, and will cut the journey time to Oslo by 10–15 minutes.

But that only applies to travelers south of Tønsberg.

Commuters in Horten and Holmestrand are instead referred to local trains. This provides a worse offer for commuters in the north of the county.

While the regional trains have good seat space, internet and the possibility to charge the PC, the local trains do not have the same options.

Get travel time as working time

– It does it’s more difficult to use the travel time to work, says commuter Even Gran.

For almost 20 years, he has commuted from Horten to Oslo. The journey is part of his working hours.

– It has been a prerequisite for me to be able to commute. I have an hour’s travel time to Oslo. To be able to have that job, it is a prerequisite that I can sit on the train and work.

Good working conditions on the train are also important for the new train commuter Hulda Gran Elvestad.

– There is plenty of space on this train. Here I can sit and work and get some working time covered for the journey.

With two small children at home, it is important that her working day does not become too long.

– If I can’t work on the train, there will have to be more home offices. In the worst case, I’ll have to change jobs, but I hope that won’t be the case.

– It’s tight here

In addition to two trains per hour from Skien to Oslo, there will be two trains from Tønsberg to Oslo. That is twice as much as today.

– I have no problems with the trains from Skien running past Horten, but I hope that they will turn around and allow us to keep the regional train as well, says Gran.

To test whether the local trains are as bad as feared, Even Gran switches to a local train in Drammen. The train has fixed rows of seats with two and three seats in width.

– It is cramped and difficult to work here, he asserts and is supported by the passenger in the next seat.

Gran does not think he will stop commuting even if he has to use the local train, but fears a longer working day.

– I will become less efficient and then I cannot write working hours for the time on the train. This means that I have to stay longer at work in Oslo. If I have to, the working day can be two hours longer than today.

The ministry promises improvement

The upgrade of the Vestfold Line will provide a significantly improved offer for the vast majority of travelers.

This is promised by State Secretary Cecilie Knibe Kroglund in the Ministry of Transport.

More departures will give a more even distribution of the travelers, she says.

– Travelers from Tønsberg and the north of Vestfold will get better seats since the departures start in Tønsberg. This enables work on board the train.

There are several reasons why the regional trains cannot be retained. Among other things, they do not work when a new signaling system is to be put into use.

– Several commuters fear they will have up to 2 hours longer working day if they have to take a local train and cannot work on the train. What do you think about it?

– The trains that will stop in Horten, Holmestrand and Sande are suitable for both work and rest.