Ruter and Sporveien are approaching agreement on how the crisis in Unibus will be resolved. This is according to sources for both Aftenposten and Avisa Oslo on Monday.
In addition to being close to bankruptcy, the bus company has been fined heavily after the winter’s chaos. If Unibuss had gone bankrupt, around 70 per cent of the buses in Oslo would have stopped immediately.
The parties in the case are still negotiating, but according to Aftenposten’s information, a solution will probably come within a few weeks. Communications director Elisabeth Skarsbø Moen in Ruter confirms to the newspaper that the parties are working to find a solution to avoid a complete stop in public transport.
– Right now the situation looks brighter than it has in the past, she says.
Unibus director Atle Rønningen does not wish to comment on the information. Neither does transport councilor Marit Vea (V), who has also participated in the negotiations.
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Ruter has promoted bankruptcy protection as an alternative to avoid bankruptcy in Unibuss. Avisa Oslo has information that it is no longer an option in the negotiations.
According to the newspaper, Ruter is said to have accepted changes to already concluded contracts, mainly in the question of how large a proportion of the buses should be electric.
It is not known whether Oslo municipality, which owns Unibuss, will use its own funds to secure the company’s finances.
