Representatives from the Ministry of Transport, led by Minister of Transport Jon-Ivar Nygård, visited the Marienborg workshop together with representatives from LO Trøndelag and the Norwegian Transport Workers’ Union.
During the visit, the guests were given a tour of the workshop and gained insight into the everyday work life of our employees. Thomas Ørbakk and his team demonstrated how we conduct train maintenance, and what prerequisites must be in place to ensure stable and safe train operations, both today and in the years to come.
Important Perspectives from Maintenance
In the dialogue, Mantena particularly highlighted the need for modern and functional workshop facilities, solid HSE conditions, and sufficient capacity to handle new and longer trains. Another central topic was the importance of the especially tacit knowledge and experience found among our professionals. This is expertise that is absolutely critical for safe operations and must be preserved and passed on.
The visit was characterized by good questions and relevant reflections, contributing to an open and constructive conversation about both opportunities and challenges in the railway sector. Such meetings are important for establishing a shared understanding of how framework conditions and priorities affect everyday life in maintenance.
A Clear Call to Action
Mantena’s message to the framework setters is clear: The maintenance perspective must be included early, and there must be arrangements for long-term and predictable frameworks. Investments in facilities, expertise, and the working environment are simultaneously investments in safety, punctuality, and a robust rail service for society.
For Mantena, it is important to help ensure that decision-makers have a realistic picture of everyday life in the workshops – close to where the trains are actually maintained.
We thank you for the visit, the good dialogue, and the important questions, and greatly appreciate the opportunity to share our experiences and perspectives.