Stavanger municipality makes public transport free from 1 July

Public transport will be free in the country’s fourth largest city from 1 July. It will cost the municipality around NOK 200 million a year.

This applies to both bus, boat and train, writes the municipality in a press release.

It is the Labor Party, People’s Party, People’s Party,Folkets Parti is a bloc-independent party that was formerly called Folkeksjonen no to tolls. MDG, Rødt, Senterpartiet and SV agree to make public transport free from 1 July.

They themselves write that they are the first large Norwegian city to fully finance public transport for its 145,000 inhabitants.

– 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 will ensure that more people try to travel more collectively in everyday life, preferably in combination with increased bicycle use, says Mayor Kari Nessa Nordtun (Ap).

In front of Stavanger Aftenblad, Nordtun rejects that it is an election campaign boost, even though it is introduced only two months before the autumn municipal elections.

Points to good municipal finances

There is a big investment in building a so-called cycle trunk road between Stavanger and Sandnes. The 13 kilometer stretch is estimated to cost around NOK 2 billion.

Nordtun expresses that the municipality has financial leeway to finance public transport from its own budgets.

It currently costs NOK 42 for a single journey on the bus. A monthly card costs NOK 630.

– Stavanger municipality has delivered large profits in recent years, and has built up a good discretionary fund. Unemployment is at a record low (1.8 per cent) and wealth is increasing. Therefore, the cooperating parties in Stavanger can now set aside funds for free buses next year, writes Nordtun in a press release.

It is the company Kolumbus that has the main responsibility for public transport in the Stavanger region, which consists of bus, boat and rail.

Public transport is under Rogaland County Municipality. Stavanger municipality will therefore guarantee the income of Kolumbus from passengers in Stavanger municipality.

NOK 200 million to cover the bill – but only for people registered

The parties’ preliminary calculations show that this amounts to just under NOK 200 million, writes Stavanger Aftenblad.

Stavanger is closely linked with Sandnes and the neighboring municipalities, and in practice has contiguous densely built-up areas. Many of the busiest bus routes cross municipal boundaries. But for the time being, the plans only stipulate that registered residents of Stavanger municipality will be allowed to travel for free. Stavanger Aarbeiderparti encourages the neighboring municipalities to follow suit, writes NRK.

Travelers must be able to prove that they are residents of Stavanger municipality when checked, the Labor Party states.