More than 100 artists submit proposals to the Bybanen Art Program.
The City of Bergen Public Art Commission has accepted the plan for Bergen Light Rail Art Program. The plan, drawn up by the Bybanen Art Committee, consists of separate projects to be implemented successively. The Bybanen Art Program has received particular support from KORO (Public Art Norway). Two projects have already commenced:
A1 Florida
Thanks to a generous donation from the foundation Sparebankstiftelsen DnB NOR, together with public funding, a monumental art project will be realized in Strømmen, close to the Bybanen stop Florida. By the deadline for the prequalification round, announced summer 2009, we had received 106 applications for participation in a closed (limited) competition. The applicants hold a high professional level. During the coming month, the Art Committee will nominate five of the applicants for a closed competition. Both individuals and groups are among the candidates, of which 25 come from Norway and some 50 from the rest of Europe. Twenty seven are from the USA and Canada, whereas two candidates are from Australia and one from Asia. Sixteen countries are represented in this material.
The budget for this project is NOK 3 million. It is expected to be completed in 2011.
The names of the five participating artists or groups will be announced soon on this site.
B1 The Tunnels
Relatively early in the planning process, the Art Committee decided to locate an art project in Bybanens tunnels, for several reasons. Inside the tunnels, the artworks don't have to compete with other visual elements in the cityscape. This creates a more predictable arena for the artist. For the viewers, an art experience will be a welcome change from the usual visual vacuum of the tunnels. The tunnel experience becomes something positive. As a guiding idea for the tunnel projects, the Art Committee refers to the Art Plan: Category B projects shall reflect cultural diversity, ie the variety of the users of Bybanen. The artists are given free hand in regards to the project's idea, within the framework established in the main Art Plan.
These projects are expected to be completed by the opening of Bybanen, summer 2010.
The total sum for the B1 commissions are NOK 800 000, distributed among four independent works. Two Norwegian artists, H. C. Gilje and Marius Watz, have already accepted commissions. Remaining projects are expected to be initiated during fall 2009.
The Art Committee's intention is that the tunnels act as arenas for temporal art projects. The expected lifetime of the tunnel projects is five years.
24.06.2009
Art Program
The Bybane Art Program was initiated by the City of Bergen Public Art Commission and receives financial support from both public and private contributors. Significant funding is furnished by the national government through KORO (Public Art Norway) and its public space program (URO).
The Good Meeting Place
Art can contribute to creating identity for the stops along Bybanen's route. We hope Bybanen's art program will provide space for contemplation and experience. Bybanen serves as a meeting place for people from a wide variety of backgrounds, a challenging role that offers an intriguing opportunity for artistic investigation of the function of public space. Art can build identity and relationships and provides a counterweight to the alienation often associated with the transience and at times hectic pace of mass transport.
Variety, vitality and innovation are central concepts in Bybanen's art program which aims to provide a wide specter of contemporary art of high quality. A vigorous dynamic will be created by the inclusion of changing, temporary installations alongside permanent works.
The different projects of the art plan will be realized successively: some will be completed by the opening of Bybanen in the summer of 2010, others will be realized afterwards.
Invitation to International Prequalification
Bybanen Art Committee wishes the creation of a monumental water- and/or light-based work beside Old Nygård Bridge in Strømmen. Contingent on the approval of relevant organs, artists are here invited to participate in an international prequalification round.
Submission deadline: 15 September 2009. See submission details in the following links:
Invitation to International Prequalification
Invitation to International Prequalification, complete text
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Bergen, Norway's 2nd city, is building a new light-rail system: Bybanen
On March 13th 2000, the City Council of Bergen, Norway selected the alignment for the construction of a light-rail transit line between the centre of the city and the airport at Flesland (line 1). The system is known locally as Bybanen.
In order to be realized, the project required a financing package based on cooperation between the national and local governments. This package is known as the Bergen Program for transportation, urban development and the environment. Local funding for this program is based on a 20-year extension of the city's toll ring which has been collecting tolls from motorists since 1986 and which was initially approved in December 2002.
A revised budget for this funding scheme, including a preliminary budget for the light rail project, was approved by the Norwegian Parliament ("Stortinget") on 28th February 2006. A final budget for the project was approved in the Parliament in December 2007 and construction was formally started on January 7th 2008.
First phase: City centre - Nesttun
The first phase, to build the line from the city centre to Nesttun, a distance of approximately 10 kilometres, is now underway. The remainder of the line, between Nesttun and the Bergen airport at Flesland, will be completed during the next budget period for the Bergen program.
The entire line will directly serve about 25% of the region's population and will be integrated with existing bus services throughout the corridor of operation. Stations will be integrated with the local transportation facilities for pedestrians and bicylces; many stations will also include parking spaces for commuters.
Topographically, Bergen is ideal for public transit. Because of the mountains, the population is concentrated in valleys which are under 2 kilometers wide and radiate from the city centre. A light-rail transit line will help improve the efficiency of the existing transit system, offer substantial capacity along the busiest corridor in the region, provide an attractive alternative to the private automobile with frequent and reliable service, and will stimulate higher density development within the served corridor.
Ridership
Estimates of ridership show that between 40,000 and 50,000 passengers on a normal weekday are expected to use the system when it is completed to the airport. The first phase to Nesttun will transport 26,000 passengers per day or about 6,5 million passengers annually.
Vehicles
On May 29th 2007, the City of Bergen and Stadler Pankow signed a development contract for twelve modern low-floor light-rail vehicles. This contract includes technical and cosmetic design of the vehicles, as well as planning of the homologation process with the Norwegian Railway Inspectorate. The production contract for the delivery of the twelve vehicles in 2009-2010 was sign on January 25th 2008 and includes maintenance of the vehicle fleet for an 8-year period. The first vehicle is scheduled to arrive in Bergen on 8th December 2009.
Travel times
An average operating speed of 25-30 km/hr is planned for the system. This is possible because of the priority given to light rail operations, short station dwell times, limited operation at slow speed in the town centre and an average spacing between stations of about 800 meters. In addition, express service is planned during peak periods to provide an even faster service between major stations and terminals.
Future extensions
Public hearings for the next construction phase of line 1 to Rådal are now being carried out and there is political activity to secure funding in order to continue construction interrupted. This first line is part of a long-range plan for public transit in Bergen. Plans are already being developed for future extensions to other sections of the city, including Fyllingsdalen and Loddefjord to the west, and Sandviken/Åsane to the north. A link connecting the main regional hospital to the city centre using an existing rail line is also under study.
Contact Bybanen:
Bybanen Bergen Light Rail
Øvre Dreggsallmenningen 6 (3rd floor)
Postboks 7700
NO-5020 Bergen
Norway
Telephone: +47 5556 9298 / +47 95747275 (Thomas J. Potter)
Telefax: +47 5556 9575
(The links next to the headings will take you to the page in Norwegian.)
A better and faster journey with Bergen Light Rail. (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170743)
In the period up until 2015, the City of Bergen will invest 5,5 billion Norwegian Kroner to build new transport projects. The first stage of Bergen Light Rail, from Bergen City center to Nesttun, will become an important contribution together with the first stage of Ringvei Vest.
This is what we wish to achieve:
- Decrease the growth in traffic
- The greatest part of the growth in traffic replaced by public transport
- Reduce the environmental issues caused by traffic
- Shield the City Center from unwanted pressure from traffic
- Build a coherent pedestrian and bicycle road system
- Reduce the number of traffic accidents
Why Bergen Light Rail? (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170871)
We are building the light rail because:
- Bergen will become a better city to live in.
The ones who live there will get less noise from cars and the air will be fresher
- Bergen will be a city where it is easy and fast to travel around.
There will be less traffic during rush hour and faster handling of the traffic with more departures for bus and rail.
- Bergen will get a more comfortable and available offer of public transportation.
As a passenger, you will have to worry less about timetables, stepping on your co-passengers toes and it will be easier for those who use wheelchairs or strollers.
- Bergen will get a new and dynamic attraction.
The light rail will be a mobile part of the soul and cityscape of Bergen. We will get a modern and future oriented rail where it’s needed the most.
Why light rail in Bergen? (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170867)
For years, Bergen has experienced growth in traffic. At the same time, less and less people use the public transport that is available to them. Without doing anything, the increment of traffic will cause more accidents and longer periods of rush hour. This will again cause increasing environmental issues.
Together our challenge is to turn this trend around!
What is a light rail? (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170870)
A light rail transit system is a modern type of rail public transportation. The main idea is that the light rail transit system is supposed to drive where people are and to bring people quick from place to place.
In 2000, the City Council of Bergen selected the alignment for the construction of a light-rail transit line from the centre of the city to Nesttun. It is expected to be finished in 2010. Compared to a traditional tram, that shares its route with other traffic, a light rail has its own right-of-way.
Bergen light rail will have its own route, which makes it possible to use fast driving and large light rail vehicles. The selected vehicle for Bergen Light Rail is the well-proven Variobahn, a product to be delivered by Stadler Pankow GmbH. The vehicle 32 meters long and can take up to 220 passengers. Each vehicle can be extended to a length of 42 meters and can then take over 300 passengers.
The light rail’s route. (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170869)
The City Council of Bergen thinks that an integral light rail network, together with branch to the neighboring districts, will pay a big strengthening to achieve a total public transport system in Bergen and the areas around Bergen. Bergen light rail will become the backbone for the future public transport systems. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead put aside space for the future light rail network, now.
First phase: City Center- Nesttun
The first phase of the light rail goes from Bergensdalen then follows southward to Nesttun. It will have 15 stops:
- Byparken (Starvhusgaten)
- Jernbanen
- Busstasjonen
- Nygård
- Strømmen
- Danmarks plass
- Kronstad
- Nymark (Brann Stadium)
- Wergeland
- Sletten
- Slettebakken
- Fantoft
- Paradis
- Hop
- Nesttun
Design project: Bergen Light Rail. (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170866)
In June 2006, the winners of the international proclaimed design competition for Bergen Light Rail were announced. The winners were the Architect Group Cubus, Fuggi Baggi Design and T-Michael, all from Bergen, and Kontragroup from Copenhagen.
The design project involves landscape architecture, industrial design, graphic design, textile design and branding.
This involves working with principles for landscape architecture, designing and furnishing of stops, exterior and interior design of the trams, uniforms for the conductors, graphic profile and branding strategy. Together, this forms a comprehensive design program for Bergen Light Rail.
When it comes to the design of the light rail, it is the user that is the main focus, and we are striving to make the solutions as user friendly as possible. The trams will have a low-rise floor without threshold. The floor will be level inside the vehicle. This, together with stops that has ramps and guidelines, will make the light rail more accessible to people with wheelchairs and strollers.
The light rail will also consist of a modern informational system, which will show updated information about travel time, when the next one is coming and your location.
The Bergen Program (http://www.bybanen.no/index.cfm?id=170744)
The Bergen Program is a cooperation between state, district, municipality and road users (financed through toll) in Bergen. Each one of the administration levels are financing measures within their field of administration. According to the Parliament’s (Stortingets) guidelines, the toll is considered as state funds.
Through an agreement with alternative use of funds for state highway and (storby), the Norwegian state has made it possible for other measures than just state highway investments in Bergen to be financed by state funds.
Measures for public transportation
An important part of the Bergen Program is the important area of public transport. The largest single project is the light rail between the city center of Bergen and Flesland (airport). In addition, an initiative to improve the negotiability for bus and taxi will be conducted.
The competitiveness that the public transportation holds must be strengthened at the expense of cars. This is because buses are more area effective and eco-friendly than cars. Better negotiability for buses, with establishment of more public-transport lane and prioritizing light for buses, are two issues that will be approached.
This is what the Bergen Program wish to achieve:
1) Less growth in traffic
2) Development of the city includes less need for transportation
3) The greatest part of the growth in traffic replaced by public transport
4) Take better use of the investments already made in infrastructure
5) Reduce the environmental issues caused by traffic
6) Shield the City Center from unwanted pressure from traffic
7) Build a coherent pedestrian and bicycle road system.
8) Reduce the number of traffic accidents
9) Establish a sufficient financing foundation for undertaking
In order to be able to reach these goals, we have chosen different strategies:
1) Aim for public transportation
The Bergen Program has as its goal to achieve that public transport supports the bigger part of personal transport. It is especially focused on personal transport between Bergen City center and the biggest suburbs.
2) Payment financed through road users
This will reduce the car-based mobility to exposed areas.
3) Parking
The Bergen Program presumes that parking politics will be used as means to limit use of cars in the core of the city. This can help to improve the environment and traffic safety where the traffic is massive, as the road networks gets relieved and the public transport strengthens. “Park and travel” gets established at the most important junctions.
4) City development
A city development that facilitates subdued growth in demands for transportation and good collective service.
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