1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

Bane NOR is the infrastructure manager for the Norwegian railway network and has prepared and published Network Statement 2027, the 24th edition of the Network Statement.

1.1.1 Bane NOR's organisation

Visit banenor.no to see Bane NOR’s organisational chart and information about the company’s leadership, ownership, and governance.

1.1.2 Norway’s railway sector

Several public and private entities contribute to today’s Norwegian rail services. You can find details on the division of responsibilities on the page How the Railway is Organised at jernbanedirektoratet.no(opens in a new tab).

1.2 Purpose of the Network Statement

The Network Statement provides railway undertakings and other applicants with essential information on accessing and using the Norwegian railway network, as well as other rail-related services.

The Network Statement includes a main document describing the infrastructure and general conditions for operating on the railway network, along with annexes offering additional detailed information, calculations, and forms. There are also links to portals and websites with relevant information, including service facilities descriptions. The links in Network Statement may lead to Bane NOR’s own or to external websites. 

1.3 Legal aspects

1.3.1 Rettslig forankring

Kravet om å utarbeide og offentliggjøre Network Statement er hjemlet i forskrift 30. juni 2021 nr. 2315 om jernbanevirksomhet, serviceanlegg, avgifter og fordeling av infrastrukturkapasitet mv. (jernbaneforskriften) § 5-1. Nærmere krav til innholdet i Network Statement følger av jernbaneforskriften § 5-2.

Krav om tilgang til og bruk av det norske jernbanenettet, herunder bruk av øvrige jernbanerelaterte tjenester, følger av jernbaneforskriften og forskrifter om gjennomføring av utfyllende bestemmelser til jernbaneforskriften gitt med hjemmel i jernbaneforskriften § 1-5 (1). 

1.3.2 Legal status and liability

1.3.2.1 Legal status

According to § 5-1 of the Railway Regulations, the information in the Network Statement is binding for the infrastructure manager. This includes annexes and websites that are part of the Network Statement, but not other documents or websites referenced within.

The Network Statement is published in both Norwegian and English, with identical content in both versions. If there is a discrepancy between the two, the Norwegian text takes precedence.

Several references are made to Norwegian legislation and Bane NOR’s traffic rules; these are only available in Norwegian.

1.3.2.2 Liability

Bane NOR ensures the accuracy of information in the Network Statement. Updates during its validity period will follow the procedures in Chapter 1.5.2.

Bane NOR aims to provide services in line with the performance standards described in the Network Statement. Information on planned changes beyond the validity period may be included (see Chapter 1.5), but this is non-binding for Bane NOR.

The Network Statement may refer to other documents published by Bane NOR. If Bane NOR makes changes to such documents that affect the rights or obligations of railway undertakings, these changes will be sent for consultation with railway undertakings before implementation.

1.3.3 Appeals procedure

Applicants who feel they have been unfairly treated, discriminated against, or otherwise had their interests infringed may, under § 11-3 of the Railway Regulations, appeal to the Norwegian railway authority (Statens jernbanetilsyn – SJT). This applies particularly to decisions by Bane NOR, railway undertakings, or service facility operators regarding:

1. draft and final versions of the Network Statement
2. criteria established in the Network Statement
3. the allocation process and its outcome
4. the charging scheme
5. the level or structure of infrastructure charges
6. access arrangements under §§ 2–1, 2–2, 2–4, and 2–5
7. access to services, collection of charges, and payment for services as per § 13–2 and Part 4  
8. traffic management
9. planning of renewals and planned or unplanned maintenance
10. compliance with §§ 3–4 to 3–7
11. framework agreements

Under § 11–3 (2) of the Railway Regulations, SJT is required to inform affected parties of its decision within six weeks of receiving all relevant information.

1.4 Structure of the Network Statement

RailNetEurope (RNE RNERailNetEurope is a joint European organization aimed at facilitating international traffic.) has compiled a common framework for the structure and content of the Network Statement (the Network Statement Common Structure). This Network Statement has been prepared in accordance with the Network Statement Common Structure for 2027, which can be downloaded on RNE's website(opens in a new tab).

1.5 Validity period, updating and publishing

1.5.1 Validity period

Network Statement 2027 is applicable for

• access to and use of infrastructure, delimited by Timetable 27
• processing of capacity-intensive programmes for Timetable 27; this is also applicable if processing takes place before the start of Timetable R27.

The Network Statement is published 12 months prior to the timetable period to which it applies and is valid for one timetable period.

Timetable 27 (TT27) commences on Sunday 13 December 2026 and ends on Saturday 11 December 2027. These dates have been established in accordance with the provisions set out in the Railway Regulations.

1.5.2 Updating

Bane NOR updates and amends the Network Statement when necessary, in accordance with Section 5-1 (2), final sentence, of the Railway Regulations.

Bane NOR will use the change log to announce any amendments or additions occurring after the publication of this Network Statement.

Amendment of a public regulation referred to in the Network Statement will only be announced by means of a supplement to the Network Statement if

• the amendment is not published in Norsk Lovtidend(opens in a new tab)
• the amendment may lead to restrictions in the use of railway infrastructure according to the minimum access package, see the Railway Regulations, Section 4-1. See also Chapter 5.3

1.5.3 Publishing

Network Statement 2027 and the annexes will be published both as a printable PDF version and electronically on the Bane NOR website.

The Network Statement will be sent free of charge to railway undertakings that have a valid Agreement on Track Access and Use of Services Agreement on Track Access and Use of ServicesThe agreement between Bane NOR and railway undertakings concerning the use of the railway infrastructure and related services according toRailway Regulations, Section 10-1 and Network Statement annex 2.3.1. (AST) with Bane NOR.

The annual publication of the Network Statement is announced in Norsk Lysningsblad and EU official journals.

1.6 Contacts

1.6.1 Bane NOR

Bane NOR can provide railway undertakings with more detailed information on topics referred to in Network Statement 2027 upon request.

1.6.2 OSS

The One-Stop Shop (OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained.) is a contact point for applications for international infrastructure capacity within RNE RNERailNetEurope is a joint European organization aimed at facilitating international traffic.. Railway undertakings can submit a single, consolidated application through the Path Coordination System (PCS). The OSS ensures coordination and harmonisation of the application among all involved infrastructure managers and integrates it into the annual capacity allocation capacity allocationA collective term teferring to the infrastructure manager's planning and allocation of infrastructure capacity as well as access to serice facilities and the services in these. process.

1.6.3 OSS, Internasjonalt

An overview of international OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained. is available on RNE's website(opens in a new tab).

1.7 Cooperation between European infrastructure managers and railway undertakings

1.7.1 Rail freight corridors (RFCs)

Regulation (EU) 913/2010 on rail freight corridors entered into force in Norway on 17 February 2014. The regulation requires member states to establish international, market-oriented rail freight corridors to

• strengthen cooperation between infrastructure managers on path allocation, interoperability, systems, and development
• ensure adequate capacity and punctuality for freight trains, balanced with passenger traffic
• promote intermodality by including terminals in the management of the corridors

Bane NOR participates in Rail Freight Corridor 3 – ScanMed RFC RFCA Rail Freight Corridor is a designated international railway route across Europe that is optimized for freight transport. (Scandinavian–Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor) – together with Banedanmark, DB Netz, RFI, Trafikverket, ÖBB Infrastruktur, and the Øresund Bridge.

1.7.2 RailNetEurope and other international cooperation

RailNetEurope (RNE RNERailNetEurope is a joint European organization aimed at facilitating international traffic.) was created in January 2004 at the initiative of a number of European infrastructure managers that wished to establish a common European organisation in order to facilitate international services. To achieve this objective, RNE offers its members, railway undertakings, applicants and other stakeholders, solutions and support regarding compliance with the European legal framework. This involves developing and harmonising international railway processes, templates, handbooks and guidelines. It also involves developing the necessary IT tools that are streamlined and harmonised.

1.7.2.1 RNE tools

Path Coordination System (PCS)

PCS is an international coordination system for applying for train paths for railway undertakings and other applicants, infrastructure managers, allocation bodies and rail freight corridors. The Internet-based application optimises coordination of international train paths by ensuring that queries and tenders are harmonised with all parties involved. PCS is the only tool for publishing allocated train paths and residual capacity residual capacityAvailable (free) track capacity in the Norwegian railway network that has not been allocated for train operations or track work in the established timetable., and for administering international track queries for the rail freight corridors (RFCs).

PCS can be accessed for free. If you would like a user account, please send your enquiry to RNE PCS Support.

Charging Information System (CIS)

CIS is an infrastructure charges information system for applicants, supplied by infrastructure managers and allocation bodies. This Internet-based application provides quick information and indications of costs related to the use of European railway infrastructure, as well as estimating the charges for using international train paths.

CIS can be accessed for free, and users do not need to register.

1.7.2.2 OSS

See Chapters 1.6.2 OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained. and 1.6.3 OSS, international.  

1.7.2.3 Other international cooperation

In addition to what is mentioned in Chapters 1.7.1 and 1.7.2, Bane NOR also participates in the following international organisations and forums: