1 General Information

1.1 Introduction

Bane NOR is the infrastructure manager for the Norwegian railway network and has prepared and published the 23rd 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 banenor.no.

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 and links to publications and relevant websites.

1.3 Legal aspects

1.3.1 Legal framework

The requirement to prepare and publish the Network Statement is based on Regulation 30 June 2021 no. 2315 concerning railway operations, service facilities, charges, and 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. (Railway Regulations) § 5–1. Specific requirements for content are found in § 5–2.

Requirements for access to and use of the Norwegian railway network, including other rail-related services, are provided by the Railway Regulations and supplementary regulations pursuant to § 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 the infrastructure manager, railway undertakings, or service facility operators regarding:

a. Draft and final versions of the Network Statement
b. Criteria established in the Network Statement
c. The allocation process and its outcome
d. The charging scheme
e. The level or structure of infrastructure charges 
f. Access arrangements under §§ 2–1, 2–2, 2–4, and 2–5 
g. Access to services, collection of charges, and payment for services as per § 13–2 and Chapter 4 
h. Traffic management
i. Planning of renewals and planned or unplanned maintenance
j. Compliance with §§ 3–4 to 3–7 
k. Framework agreements.

Under § 11–3 (2) of the Railway Regulations, the 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 2026.

1.5 Validity period, updating, and publishing

1.5.1 Validity period

Network Statement 2026 is applicable for:

• access to and use of infrastructure, delimited by Timetable 26
• processing of capacity-intensive programmes for Timetable 26; this is also applicable if processing takes place before the start of Timetable R26.

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

Timetable 26 commences on Sunday 14 December 2025 and ends on Saturday 12 December 2026. These dates have been established in accordance with the provisions set out in the Railway Regulations.

1.5.2 Updating

Bane NOR will use a supplement to Network Statement 2026 to announce any amendments or additions occurring after the publication of this Network Statement. See Change Log.

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 2026 and annexes will be available both as a printable PDF version and electronically on the Bane NOR website, where it can be downloaded for free. 

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 2026 upon request.

1.6.2 OSS, Norway

Infrastructure managers and supervisory authorities in the EU have jointly created a One Stop Shop function (OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained.) that acts as a network of contacts within RNE RNERailNetEurope is a joint European organization aimed at facilitating international traffic.. A railway undertaking may get in touch with an OSS with a view to applying for infrastructure capacity in an international rail network rail networkThe rail network managed by Bane NOR, which is the entire Norwegian rail network., and the OSS will then start the entire international coordination process.

The OSS will work on the basis of contact with a railway undertaking and after a meeting with the managers involved

1. coordinate the handling of capacity-intensive applications for each requested international track line within RNE in such a manner as to ensure that the applications are included correctly in 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
2. safeguard the customer’s optimum infrastructure capacity for the entire international route. Coordination of this process will mainly be carried out by means of simulation with RNE’s PCS system.

1.6.3 OSS, international

On RNE's webpage(opens in a new tab), you can find an overview of international OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained.. 

1.7 Cooperation between European infrastructure managers and allocation bodies

1.7.1 Rail freight corridors

Regulation 913/2010/EU concerning the establishment of a European rail network rail networkThe rail network managed by Bane NOR, which is the entire Norwegian rail network. for competitive freight entered into force in Norwegian law on 17 February 2014. This Regulation requires the member states to establish international, market-oriented rail freight corridors in order to meet the following targets:

• strengthen cooperation between infrastructure managers in important areas such as allocation of train paths, interoperability, interoperable systems and infrastructure development
• find the right balance between freight and passenger services along the freight corridors, provide sufficient capacity for freight in compliance with market needs, and ensure that common punctuality targets for freight trains are met
• promote intermodality between railways and other forms of transport by integrating terminals in the corridor management process

Bane NOR is participating in freight corridor 3 Scandinavian-Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor (ScanMed RFC)(opens in a new tab) together with Banedanmark, DB Netz, RFI, the Swedish Transport Administration, ÖBB Infrastruktur and the Øresund Bridge.

Ten international rail freight corridors (RFCs)(opens in a new tab) have been established in the EU’s rail network. For further details, see RNE's website(opens in a new tab).

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 with regard to 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 undertakingss 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

One Stop Shop (OSS OSSA one stop shop is a single point of contact where multiple services or solutions can be obtained.) is a network of contact points representing infrastructure managers operating international services. They constitute a single point of contact for railway services for the entire international route, from the first queries linked with access to the infrastructure to international queries and performance assessment following the running of a train.

A list of OSS contacts in Europe is available on  RNE's website(opens in a new tab).

1.7.2.3 Other international forums 

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: