All Aboard the Future: 83 Million Journeys – and We’re on Track
- Charlotte Eriksen
- May 13
- 2 min read
2024 was a record-breaking year for Norwegian rail:Over 83 million train journeys were made! That’s an increase of five million from the year before, according to forecasts from the Norwegian Railway Directorate. In fact, train travel has grown by a full 30 percent over the past decade.
More people are choosing the train – because it’s efficient, sustainable, and increasingly attractive. But with growth comes new demands for capacity, punctuality, and passenger experience.
Unstad is proud to be part of strengthening the railway – both for today’s travelers and for the passengers of tomorrow.
Growth Requires Both Maintenance and Innovation
In his 2025 Railway Speech, Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård emphasized that “our most important task going forward is to fix the railway.”
Punctuality slightly declined in 2024, and as a result, operations, maintenance, and infrastructure renewal are now higher priorities than they have been in decades.
The 2025 national budget reflects this, with funding increases of:
26% for operations and maintenance
38% for infrastructure renewal
This aligns perfectly with Unstad’s philosophy:We believe in reinforcing what we already have – while also daring to develop new concepts and technical solutions that put passengers at the center.
Unstad works with:
Maintenance and modernization of existing rolling stock and technical systems
New travel concepts tailored to different passenger needs
Custom-developed equipment, including railway-certified fridges and technical components
Family-friendly solutions that create engaging travel experiences
Efficient bistro and service areas that enhance onboard comfort
We combine deep technical understanding with forward-thinking product development and advisory expertise.The result? Better train experiences, more robust solutions – and a railway prepared for the demands of the future.
Building on a Positive Momentum
The record number of journeys in 2024 didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of long-term efforts to modernize the train service: Faster travel times, new trains, and more frequent departures have made it easier to live and work where you want – in a climate-friendly way.
As population growth continues, especially around urban areas, a reliable, punctual, and modern railway becomes even more essential.
Unstad is ready to take part in this collective push – alongside the industry, and for the passengers.
