According to a new regional urban plan for the capital region a light-rail will connect several urban core areas by 2040. The final decision on location and timing has not been made, but a decision is expected by the end of next year. The main downtown hub, however, is expected to be at the BSÍ bus terminal.
Population growth without growing car traffic
The total population of the capital region, which includes Reykjavík and the surrounding six municipalities, is currently 210,000 people, but is expected to grow by a third, to 280,000 by 2040. Hrafnkell Á Proppé, the chief of the regional plan, tells local newspaper Fréttablaðið, that this growth in population will unavoidably place a tremendous stress on the current transportation system.
“If we don’t alter our travel patterns, but continue to make 76% of all trips in cars, we will be running into serious trouble. … It is imperative that we meet the projected population growth without increasing car traffic.”
The goal, according to the new plan, is therefore that by 2040 people will make 12% of their trips by public transport and 30% by foot or bicycle. At the same time the urban area would not expand any further. All population growth would take place within currently developed areas.
Light-rail is cheaper than more highways
Dagur B. Eggertsson, the mayor of Reykjavík told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV, that cost estimates showed that the growing strain on the transportation system of the Capital region could be met by building new highways, bypasses and interchanges, which would cost 200 billion ISK (1.5 billion USD/1.36 billion EUR), by constructing a light-rail system, which would cost 90 billion ISK (690 million USD/610 million EUR) or even less, by constructing a system of high-speed buses and dedicated bus lanes.
In addition there is a significant social benefit to the construction of a light-rail system, according to the new regional plan. A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed light-rail shows that it would yield close to 100 billion ISK (760 million USD/680 million EUR) in social benefits.
Also on the drawing board: A train to Keflavík
In related news preparations for a high-speed train connecting Keflavík and Reykjavík are proceeding apace.
A group of investors who have been working on the plans have been meeting with municipal authorities in the capital region and hope to be able to finish the initial preparatory work this year and begin the actual planning and financing. Runólfur Ágústsson, who represents the group, told RÚV that the proposed a rail link between downtown Reykjavík and Keflavík would cut the travel time to 15 minutes.
According to a new regional urban plan for the capital region a light-rail will connect several urban core areas by 2040. The final decision on location and timing has not been made, but a decision is expected by the end of next year. The main downtown hub, however, is expected to be at the BSÍ bus terminal.
Population growth without growing car traffic
The total population of the capital region, which includes Reykjavík and the surrounding six municipalities, is currently 210,000 people, but is expected to grow by a third, to 280,000 by 2040. Hrafnkell Á Proppé, the chief of the regional plan, tells local newspaper Fréttablaðið, that this growth in population will unavoidably place a tremendous stress on the current transportation system.
“If we don’t alter our travel patterns, but continue to make 76% of all trips in cars, we will be running into serious trouble. … It is imperative that we meet the projected population growth without increasing car traffic.”
The goal, according to the new plan, is therefore that by 2040 people will make 12% of their trips by public transport and 30% by foot or bicycle. At the same time the urban area would not expand any further. All population growth would take place within currently developed areas.
Light-rail is cheaper than more highways
Dagur B. Eggertsson, the mayor of Reykjavík told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service RÚV, that cost estimates showed that the growing strain on the transportation system of the Capital region could be met by building new highways, bypasses and interchanges, which would cost 200 billion ISK (1.5 billion USD/1.36 billion EUR), by constructing a light-rail system, which would cost 90 billion ISK (690 million USD/610 million EUR) or even less, by constructing a system of high-speed buses and dedicated bus lanes.
In addition there is a significant social benefit to the construction of a light-rail system, according to the new regional plan. A cost-benefit analysis of the proposed light-rail shows that it would yield close to 100 billion ISK (760 million USD/680 million EUR) in social benefits.
Also on the drawing board: A train to Keflavík
In related news preparations for a high-speed train connecting Keflavík and Reykjavík are proceeding apace.
A group of investors who have been working on the plans have been meeting with municipal authorities in the capital region and hope to be able to finish the initial preparatory work this year and begin the actual planning and financing. Runólfur Ágústsson, who represents the group, told RÚV that the proposed a rail link between downtown Reykjavík and Keflavík would cut the travel time to 15 minutes.
