An express train between Keflavík International Airport and BSÍ Bus Terminal in Reykjavík could happen in nine years, as stated in a new report presented at a press conference yesterday. It is assumed that half of all air passengers would use the train.
“We have to start thinking this big at some point,” stated Mayor of Reykjavík Dagur B. Eggertsson. “These are ambitious plans and I believe that we can get people to work with us on this and create something exciting and constructive for the future.”
The track would be 47 km (29 miles) long and the train would travel at an average speed of 180 km per hour, but could run as fast as 250 km (155 miles) per hour. The train would run alongside Reykjanesbraut highway and then enter a 12-km long tunnel. The ride to BSÍ would take 15 to 19 minutes, ruv.is reports.
The initial cost and cost of construction is estimated at ISK 102 billion (USD 900 million, EUR 660 million) and the revenue for the first year of operation at ISK 10.5 billion (USD 92 million, EUR 68 million).
Minister of Industry and Commerce and acting Minister of the Interior Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir is in favor of the project.
“As a Keflavík and Suðurnes native, the report states that the biggest social benefits might happen there, and it would therefore be interesting to see in what way. This is the first step towards an exciting project,” she stated.
Several reports on the benefits of establishing an express train between Keflavík Airport and Reykjavík have been made in the past years but such projects have yet to be realized. Currently, there are no trains in Iceland.
