Bergen‘s Bybanen Line 1 Remains Closed Due to Ice on Cabling
UPDATE, SUNDAY MORNING: Following initial reports of resuming services on Line 1 at 08:00 today, Skyss has announced a delay. The entire line remains closed indefinitely due to the necessity to remove ice buildup on the cabling. Bus services continue to replace the Bybanen.
PREVIOUS REPORTS, SATURDAY:
The weekend’s heavy snowfall led to the closure of both of Bergen’s Bybanen lines on Saturday morning. Line 1, the line most affected by the storm, remains closed, with buses serving as substitutes.
Skyss initially reported that Line 1 would resume service at 08:00 on Sunday morning. However, due to the severe ice buildup on the contact wires, services are now expected to remain suspended longer.
Arild Sundal, leader of infrastructure at Bybanen AS, expressed concern about the situation. "We feared something like this would happen," he said. "When the line isn’t in use, ice forms on the cabling hanging above the vehicles. We attempted to melt this ice, but unfortunately, a section of the cabling at Slettebakken was damaged in the process."
Repairing the damage is expected to take around three to four hours. After the repair, another test run will be needed to confirm the line’s safety before it can reopen.
The weekend’s storm conditions pushed Bergen’s public transport to its limits, leading Bybanen director Jan Nordbyolen to describe the situation as an "exceptional circumstance." Despite this, Line 2 reopened before 14:00 on Saturday. Line 1, from Byparken to Bergen Airport, remains closed.
You can check for updates and disruptions on the Skyss website. Stay informed and safe in Bergen’s snowy weather.
