– There are quite formidable numbers I see in public transport, he asserts. The leader of the Samferdsleutvalet in Rogaland, Lasse Anfinsen Fredheim (H), is brilliantly satisfied. He looks closely at the table for traffic growth this year through September. Lasse Anfinsen Fredheim is the newly elected leader of the Samferdslutvalet in Rogaland Photo: ASTRID HAGLAND GJERDE For Nord-Jæren there is an increase of around 380,000 trips in this period. The Jæren/Dalane area shows an increase of 11,000 trips, while Haugalandet has an increase of approximately 35,000. The free tickets become valid But it is from the beginning of July, when public transport tickets in Stavanger became free, and up to and including September, that passenger growth shows itself again. This is especially true if these three months are compared with how many people took buses and boats in 2019, the last year before the pandemic hit. Then the result will be a 33 percent increase every month. Still not convinced Fredheim does not want the scheme with free tickets in Stavanger to continue. – It is an extremely expensive measure. I am more positive about using the tax crowns on more bus departures, says Fredheim. Sissel Knutsen Hegdal, (H), has taken over as mayor in Stavanger Photo: Erik Waage / news There he is in line with the new senior mayor in Stavanger, Sissel Knutsen Hegdal. The scheme, which applies for seven months this year, costs the municipality NOK 200 million. – Stavanger municipality has many other tasks that must be prioritized, she says. Rejects effect from free tickets Not everyone agrees that the increase in traffic figures is a result of free tickets in Stavanger. The company Kolumbus in Rogaland, which is responsible for public transport, is an example of this. – Growth in 2023 continues. I am very happy about that. But we don’t see any clear difference between before and after the decision on free buses, said communications manager at Kolumbus, Jon Dagsland to news, on 5 October. Unsure of lasting effect The Green Party was part of the majority that introduced free buses in Stavanger. Group leader Rune Askeland believes that the increase in passengers in recent months shows that this had something to do with it. Rune Askeland is group leader for MDG in county politics in Rogaland Photo: Øystein Ellingsen / news – We had great faith in the increase, but that it would be over 30 per cent. It’s more than I expected, says Askeland. At the same time, he doubts whether a period of seven months is enough to give a lasting increase. He reminds that it takes a long time to create changes in people’s habits. – Right now the signal is that buses in Rogaland will be more expensive and worse until next year. Then the residents may not have the very big option of driving a car, says Askeland. Negative signal The county director’s proposal for the budget for 2024 shows an average price increase of 5 per cent on bus and boat tickets. The director also announces cuts in the route offer of around NOK 40 million. Leader of the transport committee, Lasse A. Fredheim (H), says that an increase in ticket prices in line with price growth is something the residents have to accept. – But overall, I think we will have a reasonably good public transport service in Rogaland until next year as well , and that the positive traffic growth will continue.
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Free tickets lead to a 33 percent increase in passengers – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
