Spending 200 million to make all public transport free for everyone in Stavanger – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio

From 1 July, buses, boats and trains will be completely free for all residents of Stavanger. This is what Stavanger mayor Kari Nessa Nordtun writes in a press release on Monday morning. The parties Arbeiderpartiet, Folkets Parti, MDG, Rødt, Senterpartiet and SV all agree that Stavanger, as the first Norwegian city, should fully finance public transport on behalf of its own residents. – The aim is to ensure that fewer people drive, and that more people travel by public transport in Norway’s fourth largest city – so that the climate footprint is reduced and rush hour fees can be avoided for motorists, writes Nessa Nordtun in the press release. Population growth and the local business boom have led to an increase in car traffic in the municipality, although more people also use bicycles, walk or travel by public transport. The municipality has set itself the goal that at least 70 per cent of passenger journeys should take place on foot, by bicycle or public transport. – From there, it is important that powerful measures are taken to get more people who can switch to cycling or as users of public transport in the Stavanger region, writes Nessa Nordtun. Guarantees the expenses The company Kolumbus operates public transport in the Stavanger region, and it is the county council that has the political and financial responsibility for public transport. The municipality will therefore guarantee the budgeted passenger income at Kolumbus from residents of Stavanger in the adopted budget. It will be free to travel by public transport for all residents of Stavanger throughout Nord-Jæren, i.e. the municipalities of Stavanger, Sandnes, Sola and Randaberg. For now, this only applies to residents of Stavanger municipality, but Stavanger Ap encourages neighboring municipalities to follow suit. Travelers must be able to prove that they are residents of Stavanger municipality when checked, the Labor Party states in the press release. Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg tested free public transport for residents for two months in 2019/2020.



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