Norway's state railway operator Bane Nor is defending its communication policies after accusations of downplaying service disruptions. Critics say the company's approach damages public trust in the railway system.
SV party representative Anne Lise Fredlund voiced strong concerns about the strategy. She said when Bane Nor creates communication plans that appear to hide traffic disruptions or delays, it directly impacts public confidence.
Norwegian railways have faced operational challenges for an extended period. The Nordland Line between Trondheim and Bodø has been particularly affected. Service became so unreliable that officials hesitated to sell autumn tickets during summer weather.
A major landslide in Levanger caused extensive damage to both roads and railway infrastructure. This incident will likely keep the Nordland Line closed until next summer.
Official data shows over 30,000 train cancellations have occurred so far this year. Bane Nor aims for 97% operational regularity but currently achieves only 93.9%. October's performance dropped to 85.5%.
The company has implemented changes to its information strategy. Internal documents revealed efforts to avoid what officials called 'public noise' about cancellations and delays. This included reducing traffic announcements on their website except for issues lasting more than 24 hours.
Bane Nor's communication director Atle Lessum defended the approach during a weekend interview. He stated they haven't reduced information but shifted it to different channels including train company apps and their own NÃ¥-app.
Lessum explained they've raised the threshold for which traffic announcements appear on their website. They now focus on disruptions affecting many passengers or lasting extended periods. He argued too much information can confuse passengers and make relevant details harder to find.
Fredlund rejected this reasoning completely. The opposition politician emphasized that both passengers and the general public matter. She insisted everyone should see the complete picture of railway disruptions and events.
Bane Nor uses taxpayer money, Fredlund noted, so the public deserves full transparency about all railway incidents. She wants the transport minister to address the situation.
The transport ministry shows no interest in intervening. A state secretary said they expect Bane Nor to provide good information to passengers and the public but won't dictate communication platforms.
The debate highlights ongoing tension between streamlined communication and public accountability. As railway reliability declines, information transparency becomes increasingly crucial for maintaining passenger trust.