Økern station (Norwegian: Økern stasjon) is a railway and rapid transit station located in the Økern district of the Bjerke borough in Oslo, Norway. The facility serves both the Oslo Commuter Rail on the Gjøvik Line and the Oslo Metro (T-banen), providing interchange between regional rail services and the city's rapid‑transit network.
Location and layout
The station is situated at Økern, approximately 4 km north‑east of Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). It comprises two side platforms for the commuter‑rail tracks and a central island platform for the metro tracks, all accessed via a shared station building and underpass. The station is equipped with ticket machines, elevators, and step‑free access, complying with Norwegian accessibility regulations.
Rail services
- Oslo Commuter Rail: Økern is served by Vy (formerly NSB) on the Gjøvik Line, with regular hourly services connecting Oslo S to Gjøvik and intermediate stations.
- Oslo Metro: The station is part of the common trunk of Metro lines 4 (Ringen) and 5 (Sognsvann). Both lines stop at Økern, offering a combined frequency of 4–6 minutes during peak hours and 10–15 minutes off‑peak.
History
- The original Økern railway station opened on 20 December 1904 as part of the Gjøvik Line (then called the North Line).
- The metro station component was inaugurated on 16 October 1966, when the first segment of the Oslo Metro opened between Jernbanetorget and Stortinget and later extended to Økern.
- The station has undergone several renovations, most notably a major refurbishment in 2012 that introduced new lifts, a modernised ticketing hall, and updated platform lighting.
Facilities and connections
Økern provides a range of passenger amenities, including waiting shelters, bicycle parking, and a small kiosk. It is a multimodal hub; several Ruter bus routes stop outside the station, linking the Økern area with surrounding neighborhoods such as Grorud, Nydalen, and the commercial centre Økern Shoppingcenter.
Ownership and operation
The railway infrastructure is owned by Bane NOR, the state agency responsible for Norway’s railway network, while metro infrastructure is owned by Sporveien (the municipal transit authority). Train operations are performed by Vy for the commuter rail and by Sporveien T-banen for the metro.
Future developments
Plans announced by the Norwegian Ministry of Transport include upgrading the Gjøvik Line’s signalling system and potential platform lengthening at Økern to accommodate longer commuter‑rail trains. No definitive timetable for these upgrades has been published.
References
Information compiled from official publications of Bane NOR, Vy, Sporveien, and Ruter, as well as historical records of the Oslo Metro system.