Next week, Bane Nor will introduce a new trial scheme for commuter parking in Arna, Eidsvoll and Eidsvoll works. This means that train commuters here must reserve a parking space one day in advance. And for most it will cost more. Train commuter Kjetil Sælen from Arna thought the new booking system for Bane Nor was a joke. – They treat their customers like jerks, he says. Nor is the seal alone in reacting to the scheme. On the Facebook group “Vårt Arna”, several commuters express frustration with the new arrangement. It was Bygdanytt that mentioned the case first. Tripling the price for commuters Until now, it has cost one hundred Norwegian kroner a month to park at Arna station. Now it will instead cost NOK 15 every single day. For him, this means a tripling of parking expenses every single month. DIGITAL CHALLENGE: Kjetil Sælen also does not think that Bane Nor has taken the elderly and pensioners into account with the new scheme. Photo: Alrik Velsvik / news Bane Nor claims to customers that more people use home offices, and therefore believes that the price will be more reasonable for most. – We are aware that it will be more expensive for those who travel very often, but for those who travel even less often it will actually be cheaper. The common thing is that everyone is guaranteed a place, says communications manager at Bane Nor Eiendom, Stine Smemo Strachan. Will this not penalize the commuters, if it becomes more expensive for them? – We want to make it predictable for people, so that they know they have a place when they arrive. We are not doing this to either punish someone or make money, she says. Sælen says that very few people commute less than seven times in a month. And that most people will therefore have significantly higher costs. – It is as pointless as it can get, he says. MORE EXPENSIVE: The scheme makes it more expensive for those who commute often, and cheaper for those who rarely take the train. Photo: Alrik Velsvik / news Not a single car park in the world With a journey time of just seven minutes, the train between Arna and Bergen is an important train connection. The station is visited by commuters from Arna, Osterøy, Vaksdal and Stanghelle, who take the train into the city centre. Kjetil Sælen fears that the new system will lead to fewer people using the train. – I have not heard of another car park in the world where you have to book the day in advance, he says. BOOKING: Before you can park, you must have booked in advance. Photo: Alrik Velsvik / news He is particularly concerned about the elderly and pensioners who have challenges with digital tools. If you have booked a parking space, but do not need it anyway, you must cancel the space before noon the day before. If not, you lose the money. – They harass people. They don’t think of us as customers. Someone has sat in a dark room and thought this was a good idea, he believes. Long journeys by train take longer now than 22 years ago Will have to ask customers along the way Smemo Strachan in Bane Nor Eiendom understands that ordering through an app will be a change for people. – We understand that it is a bit of extra work to order through the new app, she says, but adds that it is explained on their website how to use the new scheme. PILOT PROJECT: Bane Nor’s new scheme for Arna, Eidsvoll and Eidsvoll works will last until the summer. They must then reassess. Photo: Alrik Velsvik / news Smemo Strachan says that they have received a number of inquiries regarding the new parking scheme. She emphasizes that for the three stations this is a pilot project that will last until the summer. – We will have surveys to see how it works, whether we should make adjustments and to see if this is something we should continue with over the summer, she says. Has seen an effect When asked if Smemo Strachan does not agree that the car park is often vacant, she replies: – We have been counting cars for a long time, and have seen that there are some days when it is vacant, and other days when is full. She explains that they have done a good deal of research and work ahead of the pilot. – What we have seen is that by setting the price a little higher, there are a number of people who put the car away and prefer to cycle and walk. It is to the advantage of those who need to drive, she says. – We are a large geographical district, and for many it is not practically possible to go to the train, says Kjetil Sælen. Bane Nor states that if someone has bought a monthly parking ticket that lasts longer than Monday, they can get the money refunded.
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