The Bergen light rail project - quality control

The municipality of the city of Bergen has bid for state road funds to finance the investment in a new light rail line. Such financing may be granted if the alternative public transport investment will improve the transport system and reduce the needs for road investment. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration argue that this condition is not satisfactory proven. We have assessed the traffic estimates, operational cost, and cost-benefit analysis prepared by the municipality and the Road Administration's appraisal of this work. Our conclusions are; the project will not reduce the need for road investment, it will probably increase the need for operational subsidies to public transport, and the net benefit of the project is far more negative than estimated earlier.