On Thursday, it became known that the government wants to spend close to NOK 400 million on free ferries and cheaper ferry tickets. Several coastal municipalities are cheering the proposal. Also in Herøy municipality in Nordland. – This is a day of joy, says mayor Elbjørg Larsen (Ap). If the government approves the proposal, all the municipality’s ferry connections will be free. Here are the ferry connections that can be free: Agder: Launes – Kvellandstrand Møre and Romsdal: Aukra – Hollingsholmen Brattvåg – Dryna – Fjørtofta – Harøya Edøya – Sandvika Solholmen – Mordalsvågen Nordland: Festvåg – Misten Forøy – Ågskardet Horn – Andalsvåg Sandnessjøen – Dønna – Løkta Søvik – Herøy Rogaland: Mekjarvik – Kvitsøy Vassøy Troms: Trøndelag: Levanger – Hokstad Ølhammeren – Seierstad Vestland: But Larsen is still not completely satisfied with the arrangement. The government is proposing that free ferries for the next 16 connections will apply from 16 August. It will be too long to wait, says Larsen. – I think it is incomprehensible that it will not come into force earlier, she says. In Herøy, many workers and companies depend on the ferry, both to get to work and to transport goods in and out. Larsen has always believed that the current arrangement with some ferry connections being free is unfair. The mayor fears that having to wait until 16 August before the ferry becomes free could have major financial consequences. FEAR CONSEQUENCES: Mayor of Herøy, Elbjørg Larsen (Ap), fears that waiting until 16 August to introduce a free ferry could have consequences for business and working life. Photo: Lars-Petter Kalkenberg / news She believes the county council must contribute. In addition, she fears consequences for the tourism industry in the municipality. – If this is not introduced before 16 August, we will enter a new summer season with distortion of competition in tourism, says Larsen and elaborates. – We see that it takes time to turn tourist traffic here without a free ferry. Now Larsen believes that the county council must step in. – They have come out loud and said that they can split the bill earlier, says the mayor. When the government introduced free ferries on connections with fewer than 100,000 passengers, many felt they had been passed over. County council leader in Nordland, Tomas Norvoll (Ap), said at the time that it might be relevant for the county council to contribute to equalize the differences. – They have to make up for the gap between January and August. If it is to be the same, I believe that it must be the same from 1 January, says Larsen. – Do you then expect the county council to subsidize the ferry expenses between 1 January and 16 August? – In any case, we must enter into a dialogue about what can be done. If it is possible to propose to the state to find a solution. – Do you believe in such a solution? – In any case, I think that it is not fair as it is now. Of course it’s good that it can be fixed before 16 August, but I know how demanding it can be to wait that long. GOOD NEWS: Skule Langø takes the ferry several times a week. Because he is free ferry good news. Photo: Lars-Petter Kalkenberg / news Skule Langø takes the ferry several times a week. He is very pleased that the ferry trip can now be free. But he also thinks it is a long time until 16 August. – It should have happened much earlier. It is a little strange that certain sections are free, while other sections on the same connection cost money. I find it strange that it takes so long. It’s just a matter of getting started, says Langø. Acting county council leader in Nordland, Svein Eggesvik (Sp), must disappoint Elbjørg Larsen. The county council: – Not possible – The county municipality does not have the opportunity to cover free ferries, beyond what the government now covers and will cover, says Eggesvik. The reasons for that are many. – We are still living post corona. In addition, we have had increased prices in new contracts and current operations, partly due to increased fuel prices. The county municipality has also had considerably lower income from ferries so far this year than what was budgeted for. When asked why the government wants to wait until 16 August to introduce more free ferries and even cheaper tickets, State Secretary Jakob Bjelland (Sp) answers as follows: – The Hurdal platform applies to the four-year period 2021 to 2025. The targets for ferries can be realized in other budget years! It must be good. – What options do you have? Will a gradual phase-in be possible? – The measures on the ferry side are being introduced gradually. This applies to both fare reductions and free ferries. In connections with low traffic, the scheme with free ferries was introduced on 1 July 2022. Remaining connections to islands and communities without roads can get free ferries from 16 August 2023. – Is it appropriate for the government to provide financial support before 16 August? – This is a budget issue, i.e. a matter of prioritization, and the budget has now been presented with introduction on 16 August.
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Thinks the county council must pay until there is a free ferry – news Nordland
