Many coastal communities have received free ferries and in other places ferry prices have become cheaper. The passengers cheered, but now the islanders are grumbling again. In Møre and Romsdal, NOK 14 million will be saved on ferry operations. This means that there will be fewer departures from 1 January, especially at night. Jan Erik Bringslid thinks it is little consolation that the ferry will be free, as long as the departures are cut. Photo: Roar Strøm / news It’s difficult to leave the city Jan Erik Bringslid, who lives on the island municipality of Aukra, is not happy. – It is badly done. It is no longer possible to go out and have a beer on a Friday night. It is almost as if we on the islands should not have the opportunity to go to the mainland, says Bringslid. The ferry that goes to Aukra will be free in August 2023, but Bringslid thinks that is no consolation. – It doesn’t help with a free ferry if it doesn’t run, he says. Loved ones Robin Hjertvik and Emilie Eikrem Varhaugvik are also frustrated. After New Year’s, they have to end the party in the city early to catch the last ferry home. The alternative will be expensive. – Then we have to check into a hotel, says Jektvik. Robin Jektvik and Emilie Eikrem Varhaug have to end the party earlier than they usually do if they are to catch the last ferry home. Photo: Roar Strøm / news The wrong way to go It was after a massive ferry riot that the government cut ferry prices. The organization Fergeaksjonen says that when they demanded lower prices, they did not expect the offer to be worse. – We think this is the wrong way to go. Now we finally had a good and predictable offer in place. We don’t like the development, says leader Henrik Dalelid Vedde. He thinks people will become uneasy when they discover that ferry departures disappear over the New Year. But shouldn’t they be satisfied with getting through both cheaper and free ferries? – It has become cheaper, but when the frequency is reduced we are the same distance. People have to change their lives and change their logistics, says Vedde. He will remind the politicians that there are elections next year. Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news Demand more money Leader of the transport committee, Kristin Sørheim (Sp), does not think a reduction in the ferry service is a nice New Year’s gift. She believes that the Storting must get involved. – We cannot spend more money on ferries than we do now. It goes beyond further education, dental health and road maintenance, says Sørheim. The county municipality lacks NOK 200 million a year to finance today’s ferry operation and Sørheim announces more cuts in 2024 and 2025 if no more money comes in. – I see no other advice than that a new coastal rebellion is needed, says the politician. Kristin Sørheim (Sp) says that the situation for the ferry operation will be serious in the future if the county council does not receive more funds from the state. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news – The government invests in ferries The Storting passed free ferries on routes with less than 100,000 passengers from 1 July 2022. In addition, ticket prices on all other connections became cheaper. – This government is betting on ferries. Therefore, there will be NOK 420 million more for cheaper ferries in 2023. This is good, and will benefit people and business throughout the country, says State Secretary Tom Kalsås in the Ministry of Transport. He says it is up to the county councils to prioritize how they wish to use these funds. The government’s first opportunity to consider additional funds for ferry operations is through the revised national budget in May 2023. Ferry routes with less than 100,000 passengers are free, while other connections have reduced ticket prices. Photo: Josef Benoni Ness Tveit / news
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The county municipality cuts ferry departures in Møre og Romsdal – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
