Stavanger municipality makes public transport free

It applies from 1 July, reports NTB.

On Monday, Stavanger Municipality confirms that it will be free to use public buses, boats and trains throughout the municipality.

It is the Labor Party, the People’s Party, MDG, Rødt, the Center Party and SV that agree to make public transport free.

Stavanger Aftenblad writes that the parties’ preliminary calculations show that the price tag for this will be just under NOK 200 million.

Good economy

Mayor of Stavanger Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap) says that the municipality has delivered good annual results in recent years, which means they have the finances to bet on the free offer.

– We know that many people have demanding personal finances, and hope this will ease their finances. This will also make it easier to reach the goal of zero growth, says Kari Nessa Nordtun to Aftenbladet.

Now it costs NOK 42 for a single journey on the bus and a monthly pass NOK 630.

Hope more people use the offer

According to the newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad, the majority parties hope that they hope that the offer will ensure that more people try to travel with public transport in everyday life.

– I am sure that many of those who now want to give public transport a chance because of this offer, will stay on the bus. When many more people use the bus, it is also easier to expand the route offer, says acting group leader for SV’s Paal Kloster.

Stavanger municipality itself writes that they are the first large Norwegian city to fully finance public transport for its residents.

– For many, the car is and will still be necessary, but several are in a situation where they can get by without a car at all or cut the second car in the household. We hope that the free bus ensures that more people try to travel more by public transport in their everyday lives, preferably in combination with increased bicycle use, says the mayor.

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