Oslo Metro

The Oslo Metro is a rapid transit system serving Oslo, Norway.

It is operated by Sporveien T-banen under a contract from the transit authority Ruter. The network is vital for moving people through the city and nearby areas. It serves 14 out of the 15 boroughs of Oslo. Two lines even reach into the neighboring municipality of Bærum. In 2016, the system recorded an annual ridership of 118 million people. A 2024 report assessed the Oslo Metro as the most efficient system among 23 European rapid transit networks.

The system functions through a network of five lines that all pass through a central path. This shared path is called the Common Tunnel.

All five lines run through the city center before splitting into different branches. The network includes 101 stations in total. Of these, 17 stations are located underground or indoors. Most underground stations are in the Common Tunnel or in short tunnel sections on the eastern network. The Furuset Line is a notable example, as it is built mainly in or under tunnels.

The metro lines are organized into specific branches and routes. The Grorud branch is served by both lines 4 and 5. The Lambertseter branch receives full-time service from line 4 and limited service from line 1. On the west side, the Holmenkollen and Sognsvann lines cover the northern parts of Oslo. The Ring Line connects the northeastern and northwestern parts of the city.

Additionally, the Kolsås and Røa lines reach into Bærum. The system is currently expanding with a new line under construction from Majorstuen to Fornebu. This project aims for completion by 2027 and involves a cost of 13 billion NOK shared by the city and the state.

The history of rail transport in Oslo began in 1854 with the Hoved Line.

Early services included the Drammen Line in 1872 and the Østfold Line in 1879. The first suburban tram line, the Holmenkollen Line, opened in 1898. This was the first rapid transit in Oslo because it used electric trams with proper stations. In 1928, the system became the first Nordic underground rapid transit system. This happened when the underground line to Nationaltheatret opened. This underground section was a precursor to what we now call a premetro.

Developing the modern metro required strict technical standards. In 1949, a planning office for a T-bane was established. By 1954, the city council decided to build the network in Eastern Oslo. They created a "metro standard" to improve the service. This standard included using a third rail for power supply. It also included cab signaling with Automatic Train Protection. Stations were built long enough for six-car trains. Level crossings were replaced by bridges and underpasses to increase safety and speed.

The eastern network officially opened on May 22, 1966, when the Common Tunnel opened.

This connected Brynseng to the Jernbanetorget station. Over the following years, various lines were added. The Grorud Line opened in October 1966. The Østensjø Line connected to the system in 1967. The Furuset Line opened in 1970 and reached Ellingsrudåsen by 1981. For a long time, the eastern and western networks were separate. They were not fully connected through the Stortinget station until 1993.

Different types of rolling stock, or train cars, have been used throughout the system's history. The eastern network originally used T1000 stock.

Between 2006 and 2010, these were replaced by the modern MX3000 stock.

The western network previously used T1300 and T2000 cars.

Today, the MX3000 units are the standard for the fleet. Travelers can identify metro stations by looking for a blue sign with a white "T" inside a circle.

Most stations have ticket machines and some even feature small kiosks.