Rail Freight Takes a 60% Modal Share Between Norway’s Two Biggest Cities

Why It Matters

The shift strengthens Norway’s sustainable logistics network and demonstrates that reliable rail infrastructure can capture majority market share from road freight. It signals a scalable model for other regions seeking carbon‑reduction through modal shift.

Key Takeaways

• Rail now carries 60% of Oslo‑Bergen freight.
• CargoNet to run longer trains; OnRail adds third pair.
• Daily freight services total twelve trains on Bergen Line.
• Volumes up 20% YoY in early 2025.
• Stable infrastructure enables continued modal shift.

Pulse Analysis

Norway’s Oslo‑Bergen corridor illustrates how geography can become a competitive advantage for rail freight. The Bergen Line traverses steep mountains that challenge road transport, yet rail remains resilient, delivering faster transit times and fewer disruptions. This natural robustness, combined with recent infrastructure stability, has allowed rail to claim a 60% modal share—well above the European average for intercity freight corridors. The result is a tangible reduction in road congestion and emissions, aligning with Norway’s broader climate objectives.

Operators are capitalising on this momentum. CargoNet’s plan to lengthen trains will boost capacity without adding more paths, while OnRail’s introduction of a third train pair adds evening and daytime options, raising the daily service count to twelve. These enhancements respond directly to customer demand for shifting volume from road to rail, as evidenced by a 20% year‑over‑year increase in early‑2025 shipments. Longer, more frequent trains improve asset utilisation, lower per‑tonne costs, and enhance supply‑chain reliability for industries ranging from timber to automotive components.

The Oslo‑Bergen success story offers lessons for the wider European freight market. Policymakers can see that targeted infrastructure investment—ensuring track availability and minimizing closures—creates the conditions for modal shift at scale. As the EU tightens emissions standards, rail corridors that combine geographic resilience with operational flexibility will become increasingly attractive. Norway’s approach may inspire similar upgrades on trans‑Alpine routes, where rail can again outmatch road logistics, accelerating the continent’s transition to greener freight transport.