– It was a bit confusing with a number of one-time codes, but if it’s free, it’s fine, says Jakob Freyr Sigurdsson, who is on the bus on his way to work in Stavanger on Monday morning. On Monday morning, there are slightly more people than usual with their noses in their smartphones. The historic project, which was approved two weeks ago, is underway. From Monday morning, Stavanger municipality pays the public transport tickets for all registered residents in the municipality. – For me, this means more money for savings. I travel almost daily with public transport, and getting a free ticket is a big change, says Sigurdsson. Jakob Freyr Sigurdsson in Stavanger shows off his free ticket. Photo: Erik Waage / news Over 40,000 have registered To use the offer of free public transport from today, you must first register in the municipality’s public transport register. You do this by logging in to “My page” on the municipality’s website. Martha Anna Vasina is one of over 40,000 who have registered with Stavanger municipality to travel by bus for free. Photo: Johan Mihle Laugaland / news On Monday morning 07.10, Stavanger municipality informs that 40,423 people have registered in the collective register. – And the ticket solution works well, says communication advisor in Stavanger municipality, Ståle Madland Schjelderup to news. For those who travel by bus, it is quite simple. Here you can simply log in to the municipality’s website from 07.00 on Monday and collect a free ticket. In fact, anyone who wishes can register in Stavanger municipality’s collective register. But if you are not registered in the municipality, you will not be able to collect a free ticket either. You can register in Stavanger municipality’s collective register even if you do not live in the municipality. But you cannot collect a ticket. Photo: Screenshot Acting mayor of Stavanger, Dagny Sunnanå Hausken (Sp), who is out meeting residents in Stavanger on Monday morning, can report on many happy people. – There are probably a little fewer people than usual with a joint holiday and bad weather. But most are positive. And I am impressed by the administration and Kolumbus who have got this up and running in such a short time, she says. Travel bill by speedboat For those who are going to travel by speedboat, it is worse, however. Then you must first buy a ticket, before you upload it in an electronic form on “My page” on Stavanger municipality’s website to get it refunded. Ola Johan Settem is one of those who commutes by fast boat from Finnøy to Stavanger. He is an associate professor in jurisprudence at the University of Stavanger, and uses a ticket type called Home-Job-Home. – I will use this travel bill solution for the municipality, and ask for a refund every month, he says. All registered residents of Stavanger can now be happy that Stavanger municipality will take over the public transport bill for the foreseeable future. Photo: Erik Waage / news He is excited about exactly that solution. – I had hoped that it was a slightly simpler solution that they came up with. But I hope it goes as smoothly as possible, he says. Three years ago, Finnøy municipality became part of Stavanger municipality. Now, when Stavanger municipality provides free public transport to all residents, residents living on the islands in the north of the municipality will benefit from this. Saves a lot of money A single ticket from Finnøy to Stavanger by fast boat costs NOK 127 without discounts. Ola Johan Settem lives on Finnøy and can now travel for free between his home and work in Stavanger. Photo: Syed Ali Shahbaz Akhtar / news – I am happy that we are included in the free public transport project, and it is a fair consequence of our joining Stavanger municipality, says Settem.
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Now 146,000 residents of Stavanger can travel for free – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
