Signal Error Causes Major Traffic Standstill at Ski Station on Østfoldbanen

(Ostlandets Blad)On Friday afternoon, there was a complete standstill in traffic on Østfoldbanen past Ski station. This had major consequences for traffic.

– All of the signals at the Ski station have gone off. People on site have started with error correction, but we don’t know how long it will take, said Bane Nor’s press officer, Gunnar Børseth to ØB.

Vy set up alternative transport, but as it could take some time to get enough buses, they started sending people by taxi.

At 16.19, Bane Nor reports that Ski station is open to traffic, and that the signal error has been corrected, but that travelers must still expect delays and adjustments.

Full stop at Ski station

Own bus

ØB’s responsible editor Alexander Gjermundshaug was sitting on one of the trains from Oslo that was heading for Ski when the error occurred. However, this train turned around and drove back to Oslo S. On board was Frank Tinmannsvik (65) from Vestby, who was on his way home from a meeting in the capital.

– What do you think about there being a stop on the Follobanen again?

– Ridiculous, simply ridiculous.

– How often have you experienced this here?

– I don’t have numbers. I don’t take the train very often, but it happens all too often. So I can’t help but laugh about it. It will just be ridiculous.

He points out that he is quite lucky unlike many others. Tinmannsvik works as a tour bus driver in Schous bus.

– I have a colleague who is in Oslo and has finished an assignment in Oslo, so I get to go home with him. So I get my own bus home.

Comfortable temperature

When it comes to problems being experienced on Follobanen now, he says:

– I only have the expression ridiculous. It’s just ridiculous and tragic. I kind of have no words for it other than ridiculous.

Now, however, believes that it is okay to sit on board.

– They claim that we should turn around and drive back to Oslo S. But we are still calm, we will see how long it takes.

– And the temperature..?

– Yes, it’s comfortable now, as long as we have electricity.

The longest he has been sitting on board is a couple of hours, he says, as the loudspeaker voice says that they are waiting for their turn to drive into the central station.