Plans for faster links between Oslo and Stockholm could lead more than half a million passengers a year to switch from plane to train, but a joint Swedish-Norwegian doubts the time and pollution savings justify the cost, while another proposal claims the possibility of cutting the trip to under three hours and luring a million passengers off planes. Air travel accounts for 88% of the route.
The plan the commission studied would create a new line connecting the Oslo area to Arvika in Sweden, where it would continue over existing lines to the capital. The other plan, proposed by Oslo-Stockholm 2.55, a lobbying firm owned by three Swedish regions and three city governments, would also build new track between the Stockholm area and Kristinehamn.
The two capitals are only 400 km apart, and the present train operates at an average speed of just over 50 mph; the first proposal would only raise that to about 62.5 mph. The 2.55 proposal, referring to travel time, would average a bit over 85 mph. Its sponsors say a true high-speed line would not be needed.
Proponents of both plans are urging the governments to take action, arguing that while large-scale rail projects are often costly, benefits to society have to be taken into account as well.
