Lysaker Station

] In 2007-09 the owner and operator Jernbaneverket is renovating the station, but there is a controversy whether the station should remain in a curve.

The station is located between Skøyen, to the east, and Stabekk. When the new Askerbanen is finished expanded to Lysaker in 2011 the station will be connected directly to Sandvika. All local and regional trains that operate west of Skøyen stop at the station, in addition to the Airport Express Trains to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. More than one thousand buses depart from Lysaker Station daily, and within convert|800|m|ft|-2 there are 20,000 jobs with additional 10-15,000 in development.cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_stasjon/article.jhtml?articleID=14903334 |title=Slik utvides Lysaker stasjon |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-05-10] Lysaker is the closest station to Fornebu, large parts of Eastern Bærum and some of Western Oslo.

ervice

Norges Statsbaner (NSB) operates up to ten trains per hour in each direction through Lysaker,cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/PDF/Rutetabeller/Norsk/2008/702spesialtabell2008.pdf |title=Kongsberg – Drammen – Oslo S – Lillestrøm – Eidsvoll |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] including the Oslo Commuter Rail which has four separate services. Line 400 operates two times hourly, making all stops from Asker and Lillestrøm, [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/Bilder/Rutetabeller/400-Asker-Oslo-Lillestr%C3%B8m-2008.pdf |title=(Drammen) – Asker – Oslo S – Lillestrøm |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] line 440 hourly from Drammen to Dal [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/Bilder/Rutetabeller/440-Oslo-Jessheim-Eidsvoll-2008.pdf |title=(Drammen) – Skøyen – Oslo S – Jessheim – Dal |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] , line 450 hourly from Kongsberg to Eidsvoll [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/Bilder/Rutetabeller/450-Kongsberg-Eidsvoll-2008.pdf |title=Eidsvoll – Oslo – Drammen – Kongsberg |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] and line 550 once or twice hourly from Spikkestad to Moss [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/Bilder/Rutetabeller/550-Spikkestad-Oslo-Moss-2008.pdf |title=Spikkestad – Oslo – Moss |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] . All commuter services except line 400 operate straight west to Sandvika. All express trains on Bergensbanen to Bergen [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/PDF/Rutetabeller/Norsk/2008/041-Oslo-Bergen2008.pdf |title=Bergen – Oslo |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] and Sørlandsbanen to Kristiansand [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/Bilder/Rutetabeller/050-Oslo-Kristiansand-2008.pdf |title=Kristiansand – Oslo |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08] stop at Lysaker, as does the hourly regional train from Vestfoldbanen and Dovrebanen. [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/getfile.php/www.nsb.no/nsb.no/PDF/Rutetabeller/Norsk/2008/020___Skien-Lillehammer__2008.pdf |title=Skien – Oslo – Gardermoen – Lillehammer |author=Norges Statsbaner |date=2008-01-08]

The Airport Express Train operates three hourly services to Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, taking 36 minutes to complete the convert|57|km|mi|sing=on route. [cite web |url=http://www.flytoget.no/eng/content/download/325/2320/file/FLY%20infokort%20orig%20En%20to_%20Nov.07_%20copy.pdf |title=To Oslo Airport |author=Flytoget |date=2008-01-08]

Ruter, the transit authority for Oslo and Akershus, operates more than one thousand buses from Lysaker Station daily; routes 121, 122, 131, 142, 144, 151, 152, 154, 163, 164, 242, 266 and 733 go via the station. Buses connect the station to Fornebu and suburban areas of Bærum, while other buses make an intermediate stop at Lysaker on-route to Western Bærum and Asker. [cite web |url=http://www.trafikanten.no/trafikkinfo/tabeller/sl/121_080330.pdf |title=Bærum Øst |author=Ruter |date=2008-03-30] [cite web |url=http://www.trafikanten.no/trafikkinfo/tabeller/sl/151_080330.pdf |title=Bærum Vest |author=Ruter |date=2008-03-30] [cite web |url=http://www.trafikanten.no/trafikkinfo/tabeller/sl/242_080330.pdf |title=Asker |author=Ruter |date=2008-03-30] There is also a ferry rush-hour ferry service from Lysaker to Nesoddtangen, operated by Nesodden-Bundefjord Dampskipsselskap [cite web |url=http://www.trafikanten.no/trafikkinfo/tabeller/sl/543_080330.pdf |title=Nesodden |author=Ruter |accessdate=2008-07-08 |language=Norwegian]

The station is unstaffed, but ticket machines are available, and the waiting room is open for all departures. There is a kiosk and taxicab stand, and parking is available in a parking house for a fee. The platforms are wheelchair accessible. [cite web |url=http://www.nsb.no/stations_kn/article26273-2770.html |author=Norges Statsbaner |title=Lysaker |accessdate=2008-06-21]

History

Lysaker is an original station on Drammenbanen that opened on 7 October 1872.cite web |url=http://forsk.njk.no/stdb/index.php?Stnr=2205&aut=&mod=st&sid=900 |title=Lysaker |author=Norsk Jernbaneklubb |accessdate=2008-05-30 |language=Norwegina] In 1914 the station building burnt down and was replaced by a new building in 1917, giving the station a center platform. At the same time the railway was converted from narrow to standard gauge and a new bridge over Lysakerelven was built.cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/multimedia/archive/01620/Brosjyre-Lysaker_s_1620512a.pdf |title=Ny Lysaker stasjon |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006 |language=Norwegian] In 1922 the line was rebuilt to double track and electrified from Oslo Vestbanestasjon to Sandvika. [cite web |url=http://www.norsk-jernbanemuseum.no/htm/njm_historie/njm_historie.htm |author=Norwegian Railway Museum |title=Historie |accessdate=2008-06-13 |language=Norwegian] The current station with two platforms and shelter was built in 1987 after the old station building had been demolished. Lysaker served as the closest railway station to Oslo Airport, Fornebu until it closed in 1998; because of this the station was branded as Lysaker/Fornebu from 27 May 1990 to 7 October 1998, but always retained Lysaker as the sole technical name.

Expansion

In 2006 the process of renovating the station began, with estimated investments of NOK 1 billion. Lysaker Station is planned to be one of the most important stations west of Oslo, and to continue as a local connection point for public transport. The construction work consists of renovating the station building and expanding from two to four platforms. cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_stasjon/article.jhtml?articleID=14903334 |title=Slik utvides Lysaker stasjon |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-05-10] First a new double platform north of the current one will be built. Then the current platform will be dismantled and rebuilt. The construction work is planned to be completed in 2009 with Askerbanen between Lysaker and Sandvika finished two years later. This will provide four tracks from Lysaker to Asker. [cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_sandvika/article.jhtml?articleID=1642405 |title=Dette er strekningen Lysaker-Sandvika |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-03-31] Jernbaneverket is planning to extend Askerbanen onwards east to Skøyen sometime after 2015. [cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/sporsmal_og_svar/ |title=Spørsmål og svar til Skøyen - Asker |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-03-31]

The expansion will allow increased capacity through the "West Corridor" from Oslo to Drammen, by having four tracks instead of two between Lysaker and Asker. Total capacity will increase by eleven additional trains per hour in each direction. Slower commuter trains will continue to utilize the old line, while faster express trains will be routed on the new line. The project will also increase the number of boarding platforms from two to four. [cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/bakgrunn/article.jhtml?articleID=1590986 |title=Utbygging med store gevinster |author=Jernbaneverket |accessdate=2008-06-13 |language=Norwegian]

Light rail terminus controversy

A proposed light rail system from Fornebu was planned to terminate at the new Lysaker Station, but the Akershus county municipality has not been able to decide on what mode of transportation to use, with both rapid transit, automated people mover and tramway having been suggested. In 2007 the plans for a people mover were canceled, and replaced with a tram.cite web |url=http://www.trikken.no/asp/hoved.asp?NyhetsId=608&sideId=2&nyId=2 |title=Bybane til Fornebu vedtatt |author=Oslo Sporvognsdrift |date=2007-05-11 |language=Norwegina] Because the people mover was canceled after construction of the station had started, Jernbaneverket has claimed the county for NOK 31 million. [cite web |url=http://www.budstikka.no/sec_nyheter/article171311.ece |title=Regning for banerot |author=Asker og Bærum Budstikke |date=2008-03-25]

Curve controversy

The present station is located on a curve, and the renovation plans from Jernbaneverket do not involve moving the station or straightening it, [cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_stasjon/article.jhtml?articleID=14903334 |title=Slik utvides Lysaker stasjon |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-05-10] despite protests from both advocates for the disabled community and the railway company NSB. They claim the station will have a gap of up to convert|40|cm|in|0 between the train and the platform causing accessibility problems for the disabled. [cite web |url=http://www.ffo.no/?dokId=2575 |title=Lysaker stasjon - et skandaleprojsekt |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Funksjonshemmedes Fellesorganisasjon] Jernbaneverket claimed that this would not be a major problem since 80 percent of the trains' length would be within convert|22|cm|in|0 of the platform—only convert|2|cm|in|0 further away than if the station had been built on a straight track. [cite web |url=http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_stasjon/article.jhtml?articleID=1641881 |title=Gransking av plattform i kurve |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Jernbaneverket |date=2006-01-06]

As a counterargument NSB have stated that since they are required to have a maximum convert|25|cm|in|0 clearance between the platform and the trains, their trains would no longer stop at the station after its completion. NSB have estimated that to adapt their trains to comply with regulations the company would be facing a bill of NOK 400–500 million, as well as having to order all-new trains to replace type BM70, costing NOK 1.5 billion and exceeding the cost of building the new station. Since NSB is state-owned and receives subsidies for rail transport from the Ministry of Transport and Communications the replacement bill would be footed by the taxpayers. [cite web |url=http://oslopuls.no/nyheter/article1536293.ece |title=Glippen blir pengesluk |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Aftenposten |date=2006-11-17]

Designs have also been criticised by both the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate and NSB because it will not be possible for both the conductor and the engineer to have full view of the platform, necessitating doubled staffs for each train passing through the station. Jernbaneverket has attempted to address the problem by installing a video surveillance system. [cite web |url=http://www.budstikka.no/sec_nyheter/article98451.ece |title=Sikrer Lysaker stasjon |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Asker og Bærum Budstikke |date=2006-09-05]

The motivation behind the curved station design was the preservation of the 1913 Vollsveien Bridge, which Jernbaneverket claimed would have to be torn down under a straight-track layout. This has since been disputed, and former Minister of Transport and Communication Torild Skogsholm (Liberal) has stated that she blames the problems on the director of Jernbaneverket, Steinar Killi. [cite web |url=http://www.budstikka.no/sec_nyheter/article97575.ece |title=Lysaker-striden: - Ført bak lyset |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Asker og Bærum Budstikke |date=2006-08-29] Her successor Liv Signe Navarsete (Centre) announced in July 2006 that the construction would continue following the curved design, though minor functional changes would be made. [cite web |url=http://odin.dep.no/sd/norsk/tema/bane/nyheter/028061-210006/dok-bn.html |title=Presisering om Lysaker stasjon |accessdate=2006-12-06 |language=Norwegian |author=Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications |date=2006-07-14]

References

External links

* [http://www.jernbaneverket.no/jernbanenettet/stasjonssok/stasjonsoversikt/article.jhtml?articleID=1488684 Jernbaneverket entry on Lysaker Station] no icon
* [http://www.jernbaneverket.no/prosjekter/pagaende/skoyen_asker/lysaker_stasjon/ Jernbaneverket entry on the renovation]
* [http://www.flytoget.no/eng/Stations/Lysaker Flytoget entry]
* [http://www.nsb.no/stations_kn/article26273-2770.html NSB entry]
* [http://forsk.njk.no/stdb/index.php?Stnr=2205&aut=&mod=st&sid=900 Norsk Jernbaneklubb entry] no icon

Nsb next line
line = Drammenbanen
prestation = Stabekk
poststation = SkøyenNsb next express
prespan = yes
postspan = yes
bergen = yes
kristiansand = yes
prebergen = Asker
postbergen = NationaltheatretNsb next regional
preairport = Sandvika
postairport = Skøyen
prevestfold = Sandvika
postvestfold = SkøyenNsb next local oslo
line400 = yes
prespan400 = 1
pre400 = Stabekk
postspan400 = 4
post400 = Skøyen
line440 = yes
prespan440 = 3
pre440 = Sandvika
line450 = yes
line550 = yes