– I’m actually going to do it now. To get a free bus, I have to register here, says Christine Rehder Knap. She comes from Asker and moved to Stavanger last year to study. But it is only now that she wants to change her public address. – That’s what it takes to get hold of that ticket, says Rehder Knap. Christine Rehder Knap must change her home address in order to get a free bus. Photo: Kjersti Hetland / news One percent more people sitting It is two months since Stavanger introduced free public transport for those who are registered in the municipality. Since then, the population in the municipality has increased more than it did all of last year. In 2022, the population increased by 1,312. And it was particularly high, because more than half of them were Ukrainian refugees. Kjartan C. Møller is director of finance and organization in Stavanger municipality. Photo: Tom Edvindsen / news From 1 July to 1 September, Stavanger gained 1,451 new residents, and in total there are now 148,074 residents. – The growth is record-breaking compared to previous years. And I think it is due to the introduction of free public transport, says director of finance and organization in Stavanger municipality, Kjartan C. Møller. – There are no other specific individual reasons that can explain it based on what I know today. And in modern times, they have no other evidence that the population has increased so much in such a short time. Changing address to save money Oda Høgnes from Jevnaker is one of the recent sitdisans. Oda Høgnes from Jevnaker moved to Stavanger to study in the autumn and has changed his address in the population register. Photo: Kjersti Hetland / news It has only been a month since she moved to the city to study, but she has already registered her move in the population register. – To get a free bus. It’s just that, Høgnes replies when I ask why. – We have so many other expenses as students, so it is important to save that money, she says. Economics is also an important reason why Christine Rehder Knap now wants to take the step and become a siddis. – The fact that I can take a free bus whenever I want is liberating when everything is as expensive as it is now, she says. Biggest growth in the 20–29 age group Students probably account for a significant part of population growth. – I can’t say for sure. But since there are many young adults in that age group who have registered, I assume so, says Møller. Figures from Stavanger municipality, which they take from the National Register of Citizens, show that the municipality gained over 500 more residents in the 20-29 age group during August alone. No other age group saw the same type of growth in the same period. And since the students provide the municipality with few expenses, but more income from the state, it is economically beneficial for the municipality that this group grows. Vilde Tengesdal Johnsen, Christine Rehder Knap and Jonette Kristiansen are all students at the University of Stavanger. Only Johnsen is not registered in Stavanger, she lives in Sandnes. Photo: Kjersti Hetland / news Population growth was not the goal – I am very, very happy about that increase. They are crying out for labor here. So the fact that more workers are coming to Stavanger is very good, says Dag Mossige, group leader in Ap i Stavanger. Dag Mossige is a group leader in Ap in Stavanger. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news But population growth was not part of the goal when Ap and the five other parties that govern the municipality introduced free public transport for residents. – It was something I did to ease the financial burden on people and to make more people switch from cars to public transport. But we have received an enormous amount of feedback from people that the free bus is a measure they appreciate, so we are not surprised that this is a popular measure among new residents, says Mossige. No more positive about free bus – We are happy that more people see Stavanger as an attractive municipality to live and live in, so I am absolutely cheering for that, says mayoral candidate for Høgre in Stavanger, Sissel Knutsen Hegdal. Sissel Knutsen Hegdal is a mayoral candidate for Høgre in Stavanger. Photo: Øystein Otterdal / news – But do you think there is a good argument for continuing the free bus scheme? – No, not as the arrangement is today. Because the scheme has not been shown to be socially equalizing in relation to the amounts that are used, nor do we know how many people are now parking their cars, says Knutsen Hegdal. According to the opinion polls, he is well placed to become the new mayor of Stavanger. Not a long-term relationship How long the free bus offer will last is uncertain, not least if there is a political change after the election. And the question is whether the students who are now registered in Stavanger will remain in residence. – Unsure. We’ll see, says Høgnes. – I think I’m going home to Asker, replies Rehder Knap. – So it won’t be a long-term relationship? – No, it’s for the bus, she laughs.
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The population in Stavanger increased sharply after the introduction of free buses – news Rogaland – Local news, TV and radio
