One of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway is also the largest public transport project of Axess in Scandinavia. This year, Fløibanen Bergen broke all records as regards visitor numbers.

The Fløibanen is a funicular, transporting passengers to one of the seven hills surrounding Bergen, the second largest city in Norway. The lower terminus is just 150 meters away from the famous fish market and Bryggen, the old wharf of Bergen dating from the Hanseatic times, and tourists from all over the world flock to it in order to travel by funicular to a vantage point with a magnificent view over the city. Citizens of Bergen also use the service, as many live near the city center and don't want to climb up 320 meters to go home after a day in the town. 

Every year, the Fløibanen transports more than one million passengers. Apart from the lower and higher terminus, there are three more stations that have been equipped with Axess systems in 2009. The funicular company now runs 8 floor-mounted Smart Flap Gates, 7 ticket vending machines and 7 POS systems that ensure smooth operation for both travelers and service personnel. 

Due to the exceptionally hot summer in Scandinavia, Bergen enjoyed unprecedented visitor numbers. As a consequence, Fløibanen recorded an increase in passengers of 76.8% in April alone. In June 2014, the company had exceeded its budgeted income by more than 20%.

We are proud to report that the Axess installations were able to cope with the exceptional number of passengers without any hick-ups.