Stoppestedet

Stoppestedet is a term in Norwegian and Danish that translates to "the stopping place" and is commonly used to refer to a small railway halt or bus stop along a public transport route. In railway practice it denotes a location where trains call to pick up and drop off passengers but that typically lacks the facilities of a full station. A stoppested can be unstaffed and may have a platform, shelter, signage, and timetable information rather than a ticket office or extensive services. The term is broader than holdeplass, which in many contexts refers specifically to bus stops, while stasjon or jernbanestasjon denotes a major railway station.

Etymology and usage: The word is formed from stopp (stop) and sted (place). It has historically signified a place where travelers could board or alight and where services could be scheduled along lines serving small communities.

Modern context: With railway modernization and timetable simplification, many stoppesteder have reduced facilities or become unstaffed, while digital information systems and automated ticketing have become common. In some cases, a stoppested may be upgraded to a full station if passenger demand grows.

Toponymy: Beyond transport usage, Stoppestedet appears as a proper name in certain Nordic locales, reflecting the historical role of a halt at that location.