Siemens powers Oslo’s metro digitalization with its CBTC
posted on 2nd Dec 2025 11:48
On 2 December 2025, Siemens Mobility and Sporveien commissioned the modern Communications-Based Train Control system for passenger service on an initial, 3 km section of the Oslo Metro. The 270 million EUR signalling project, awarded to Siemens Mobility in 2021, encompasses the complete replacement of the legacy signaling system across the entire 86 km network and integration of the new Fornebubanen line.
With Siemens Mobility’s CBTC solution Trainguard MT, operating at Grade of Automation Level 2 (GoA2), Oslo Metro can now handle 36 trains per hour, up from 28 previously. This is a capacity boost of around 30 %. Combined with 25 years of digital maintenance services and intelligent asset management through Siemens Mobility’s Railigent X, this modernization ensures maximum reliability and connectivity supporting Oslo's ambitious goal of becoming the world's first emission-free city.
This modernization project includes a complete upgrade of Oslo’s Metro network, and seamlessly integrating the new 8 km Fornebubanen extension with six stations. A pioneering innovation in this project is the secure use of public LTE mobile networks for critical train control communications, making Oslo the first metro in Europe to adopt this cost-saving and forward-looking approach.
Capacity boost for Oslo’s metro
The new system possesses the technical and theoretical capacity to operate up to 40 trains per hour. This capability is vital for accommodating the new Fornebubanen line and ensuring highly reliable operations across the network. Should this full potential be realized, it would represent an overall capacity increase of over 40 % compared to the pre-modernization capacity of 28 trains per hour.
Norway is setting a global benchmark in rail digitalization, aiming to centrally control and monitor its 4,200 km mainline railway network and over 350 stations. Bane NOR, the state-owned company responsible for railway infrastructure, is leading this 2 billion EUR digitalization initiative with Siemens Mobility, focusing on automated signaling systems and upgrades to ETCS Level 2 technology. Projects like Sporveien's CBTC rollout underline Norway’s dedication to innovation and sustainability, positioning the country as a leader in efficient and eco-friendly public transport solutions.
