The great metro upgrade
Almost the entire metro system will be closed from November 19 to 22
From Thursday, November 19, to Sunday, November 22, almost the entire Oslo Metro network will be closed. The closure will remain in effect around the clock. The new signaling system will be tested, which, for safety reasons, requires four consecutive days without passengers.
Don't travel unless you have to
The metro is highly efficient and carries hundreds of thousands of people every single day. When the metro is effectively out of service for a few days, it has major consequences for the entire public transport system.
Our main priority these days is to ensure that those who need to travel can get where they are going. We are deploying extra buses and trams, but they cannot replace the metro, so we need everyone’s help. Consider whether your journey is necessary, and walk or cycle where possible. The message is clear: do not travel unless you have to.
Our services during the closure
We are strengthening the rest of the public transport service with more frequent departures and adjusted bus and tram services on the days when the metro is closed. However, this is not enough to replace the metro’s full capacity—there simply are not enough buses, trams, or roads to do so. Public transport services will therefore be reduced while the work is underway, and people are encouraged to consider whether their journey is necessary.
- Line 1 is operating only between Frognerseteren and Frøen. Special transport/on-demand transport will be available between Frøen and Majorstuen for passengers who need additional assistance.
- Line 2 is operating only between Østerås and Makrellbekken. Replacement buses are running between Hovseter and Majorstuen on Line 2.
- Line 3 is operating only between Kolsås and Ullernåsen. Replacement buses are running between Åsjordet and Majorstuen on Line 3.
- Trams will replace the metro between Majorstuen and Jernbanetorget
- Increased capacity with line 19x
- The rest of the metro network, which will not receive any replacement service, will be covered by increasing the frequency of regular public transport services.
There may be changes to the final offer before the closing in November.
Questions and answers about the closure in November
Why is the metro closing?
The new signaling system (CBTC) needs to be tested, and testing cannot take place with passengers on board. Sporveien needs four consecutive days because switching between the old and new systems is time-consuming, and entire sections of the line must be tested in a single continuous run.
The current signaling system was installed in the mid-1960s and has exceeded its service life. The new system will allow trains to run closer together and more frequently, and is essential for connecting the Fornebu Line to the metro network.
Read more about the metro closure on Sporveien's website.
Which lines are closed?
Lines 4 and 5 are completely closed. Lines 1, 2, and 3 are operating on shortened routes on the west side of Oslo:
- Line 1 operates between Frognerseteren and Frøen
- Line 2 operates between Østerås and Makrellbekken
- Line 3 runs between Kolsås and Ullernåsen
This means that no metro trains will run through the city center on these days. Stations such as Nationaltheatret, Stortinget, Jernbanetorget, Grønland, and Tøyen will have no metro service.
Will there be a replacement bus service?
There will be some rail replacement buses, but there are not enough buses, trams, or roads to replace all metro services. Instead, we are increasing regular bus and tram services.
This is the offer during the closure:
- Line 1 is operating only between Frognerseteren and Frøen. Special transport/on-demand transport will be available between Frøen and Majorstuen for passengers who need additional assistance.
- Line 2 is operating only between Østerås and Makrellbekken. Replacement buses are running between Hovseter and Majorstuen on Line 2.
- Line 3 is operating only between Kolsås and Ullernåsen. A replacement bus service is running between Åsjordet and Majorstuen on Line 3.
- Trams will replace metro trains between Majorstuen and Jernbanetorget
- Increased capacity with line 19x
- The rest of the metro network that will not receive replacement service will be covered by increasing the regular public transport service.
- There may be changes to the final offer before the closing in November.
I have to travel. What should I do?
Use the journey planner in the Ruter app or at ruter.no for up-to-date routes. Allow plenty of time and expect your journey to take longer than usual.
This is the public transport service available during the closure:
- Replacement bus service between Hovseter and Majorstuen on Metro Line 2
- Replacement bus service between Åsjordet and Majorstuen on Line 3
- Tram replacing the metro between Majorstuen and Jernbanetorget
- Increased capacity with line 19x
- Special transport/on-demand transport will be arranged between Frøen and Majorstuen for passengers who require additional assistance.
- The rest of the metro network that will not receive any service will be covered by increased regular public transport services.
These are some measures, but they do not constitute a genuine replacement service. There simply are not enough buses, trams, staff, or road capacity for that. As a result, passengers will have access to very limited public transport services during these days.
Why do you think it is reasonable to ask people not to travel?
Many people have jobs that require them to be physically present at work, especially those in critical professions such as healthcare. If everyone travels by bus and tram, public transport may become overcrowded, resulting in queues and delays. If many people choose to drive, traffic flow on the roads will also worsen.
By planning ahead and avoiding travel unless necessary, you make room for others to get where they need to go.
Will there be more closures like this?
Yes. The closure in November is the first of several that will affect the metro in 2027. The closures are mainly planned for holiday periods and public holidays. Below is a table showing the next major closures.
What do we get in return for this?
The new signaling system will allow the metro to run more frequent services with shorter intervals between trains. It is also a prerequisite for the Fornebu Line.
Thank you very much to all passengers for your patience, and remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel: the entire new system will be completed in 2029, allowing us to open the Fornebu Line.
Several major closures
The closure in November is the first of several. The closures in 2027 are planned for holiday periods and public holidays to minimize disruption.
| Starting from | Up to and including | Holidays/public holidays |
|---|---|---|
November 19, 2026 | November 22, 2026 | |
February 25, 2027 | February 28, 2027 | Winter break |
March 26, 2027 | March 29, 2027 | Easter holiday |
May 4, 2027 | May 7, 2027 | Ascension Day |
July 1, 2027 | July 4, 2027 | School summer holidays |
12 August 2027 | 15 August 2027 | School summer holidays / Øyafestivalen |
September 8, 2027 | September 11, 2027 | Municipal elections, September 12–13 |
Detailed overview
We will keep this section updated. Changes to dates may occur.
08.09 – 14.09: Lines 1 and 4
From Tuesday, September 9 until 2:00 a.m. on Monday, September 14, there will be changes to several metro lines. The changes will be in effect around the clock.
- Line 1 is operating only between Frognerseteren and Helsfyr.
- Line 4 only runs between Vestli and Ryen.
- All other lines are operating as normal.
Bus 4B between Ryen and Bergkrystallen replaces the metro service at the closed stations during this period.
The closure is due to testing of the new signaling system (CBTC).
14.09 – 18.09: Lines 2 and 3 (evenings only)
From Tuesday September 14 to night of September 18 there will be changes to several metro lines. The changes are from only on evenings between 21:00-02:00.
- Line 2 only runs Østerås and Helsfyr.
- Line 3 only runs between Kolsås and Helsfyr.
- All other lines are operating as normal.
Bus 2B (Brynseng–Ellingsrudåsen) and 3B (Brynseng–Mortensrud) replace the metro service at the closed stations during this period.
The closure is due to work on a new signaling system (CBTC).
20.09 – 28.09: Line 3 (evenings only)
From Sunday, September 20, until the early hours of Monday, September 28, there will be evening service changes on several metro lines. The changes apply only between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m.
- Line 3 runs between Kolsås and Skullerud. This means that Mortensrud metro station will have no metro service on these evenings.
- All other lines are operating as normal.
Bus 3B (Skullerud–Mortensrud) replaces the metro on the closed section during this period.
Stengningen skyldes arbeid med nytt signalanlegg (CBTC).
Why is the metro being upgraded?
The metro is being upgraded to provide you with faster travel and more frequent departures. That's why we call the project 'The great metro upgrade'. The upgrade consists of three major projects:
- Installation of new signaling and interlocking system (CBTC)
- Upgrade of Majorstuen station
- Connection of the Fornebu Line to the existing metro network
Sporveien and Fornebubanen are carrying out the work, which will provide Oslo with a more modern and efficient metro network.
New signaling and control system (CBTC)
Sporveien is installing a new, digital signalling and safety system on the Metro called CBTC (Communication-Based Train Control). The reason is that the current system is approaching the end of its lifespan, and that a new system will increase the capacity of the Metro. The new signalling system allows trains to run closer together and more frequently, as the trains automatically adjust the distance between them. The result will be more departures for passengers.
Sporveien is in full swing replacing the signalling system, and the first stretch was between Brattlikollen and Bergkrystallen. The work is admittedly extensive, involving among other things 5.4 kilometres of cables that need to be laid for each train.
To ensure that the new signalling system works as intended, the installation will happen gradually. There will therefore be short periods of closed stations in 2026. The work will often take place in the evening to inconvenience travellers as little as possible. Ruter will set up replacement bus services during the work periods to get people to their destinations.
More about signaling systems on Sporveien's websiteMajorstuen Station
Majorstuen is one of the most important stations on the Oslo Metro. The upgrade will make it easier to travel, allow for more departures, and increase capacity.
The upgrades of the station are:
- larger platforms with more space
- multiple accesses to the station
- a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge for safer and faster crossing
The new bridge opened on February 18, but some work remains before it is completely finished. With the new signaling system, the upgrades will facilitate a capacity of 36-40 trains per hour in each direction through the downtown tunnel.
More about Majorstuen station on Sporveien's websiteFornebu Line
The Fornebubanen is a new metro line from Fornebu to Majorstuen, via Lysaker and Skøyen. When the line is connected to the current metro network, travelers will have a direct route between Fornebu and Oslo. This will strengthen public transport options, relieve car traffic in the area, and provide more people with an environmentally friendly travel alternative.
More about the Fornebu Line on the Oslo municipality's website