Oslo is launching nighttime metro services on two key lines starting November 16. The trial will run every weekend night until the end of the year.
Line 2 between Østerås and Ellingsrudåsen and Line 3 between Kolsås and Mortensrud will operate with 30-minute intervals during nighttime hours. These lines share tracks between Hellerud and Smestad stations, including through Oslo's city center. This creates service approximately every 15 minutes along the shared central section.
The nighttime metro project will run for the final seven weekends of the year as a pilot program. If successful, it could expand to all metro lines during weekend nights.
Conservative Party group leader Magnus Birkelund stated that his party will push for expanded nighttime service across all lines if the trial proves successful. The statement came during city council discussions about improving Oslo's night transportation.
This trial addresses growing demand for late-night public transportation in Norway's capital city. Many residents have called for better options after midnight, particularly on weekends. The current test focuses on two major cross-city routes that serve both residential areas and central districts.
Will weekend revelers and night shift workers embrace this new service? The answer will determine whether Oslo joins other European capitals with full nighttime metro operations. The seven-week trial period gives transportation officials enough data to assess rider demand and operational feasibility.
Oslo's metro system, known locally as T-bane, serves both the city center and suburban areas. The system typically closes around 1 AM, leaving night owls dependent on taxis or limited bus services.