To bind Norway together – Speech

Many people in Norway are completely dependent on ferry or plane to get through the day. This is the bus and tram for many people in Northern Norway and Western Norway. When Høgre and Frp were in power, there were both ferry and plane riots along the entire coast. That is why we in the Center Party voted for free ferries on small ferry connections and half price on air routes and ferries along the rest of the coast. The Center Party and the Labor Party in government have now delivered on that. Trufast Høgre opposition Høgre has fought against our measures so that people and business will get reduced cheaper flights and ferries. Every year they propose to remove several of the initiatives in the Storting. Now Høgre has found out that they want to use ferry queues and full planes on the district routes as an excuse to advocate for sending the bill back to people and businesses. There is no doubt that there will be more passengers on the affordable flight and ferry routes now that we are entering the tourist season and many are traveling around to experience all that beautiful Norway has to offer. But the solution is not to raise the price. Popular measure Instead of looking at cheap air fares and free ferries as a threat, we must use it as a tool to bind the country closer together. I don’t think Høgre would think of saying that if the trams in Oslo are full, the solution is to increase the prices to chase people away from the trams. Then, of course, the answer is to strengthen the capacity. It should also be the case in other parts of the country. This week I visited the island municipalities of Røst and Værøy in Nordland. People who live there are completely dependent on a good ferry service to get to hospital, work and or to run various errands. The islanders, including High Mayor Susann Berg Kristiansen on Værøy, were very pleased with both the free ferry and cheaper helicopter (Værøy does not have an airport). The business life on the islands was the same. No one we met agreed with Høgre that the solution was to raise ferry prices to get fewer people to take the ferry. More expensive = worse Forcing people away from planes and ferries with more expensive tickets is simply the wrong medicine for our coast. The fact that business, locals and tourists will travel along our beautiful coast is positive. It provides growth, development and vibrant local communities throughout Norway. The fundamental difference between Høgre and the Center Party is that we in the Center Party actually want people to be able to live and live good lives throughout Norway. Therefore, it has been important for us to make the flight and ferry service in the districts better and cheaper. It is absolutely crucial to get people to live in the district. With cheaper tickets, it also becomes easier to travel for students who are going home, businesses who are going to build the country and tourists from home and abroad who want to see the whole of our beautiful country. That is why we will never give up. Free ferry is here to stay. Published 28.06.2024, at 11.34



ttn-69