– We want to make it easier to live in the rural areas. For many, the ferry is the lifeblood of society, says transport minister Jon-Ivar Nygård in a press release. – This is an important measure to ease costs for residents. In the previous state budget, it was decided that it should be free to travel by ferry on those connections that have less than 100,000 passengers a year. In its proposal for a new budget, the government wants to expand the offer. They will provide free ferries to all connections without a mainland connection, including those with more than 100,000 annual passengers. In addition, they want to give lower prices on the ferries you have to pay for. Compared to the prices in 2021, the government wants to halve ferry prices. SATISFIED: Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård is well satisfied that the government can carry out its ferry promise. Photo: Bård Siem / news The total price for this is NOK 420 million in 2023. That is an increase of NOK 390 million compared to this year’s budget. In total, there are 16 new sections that can become free from 16 August 2023. Nordland and Møre og Romsdal can get a total of nine free sections. 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: – Nordland is the clear ferry winner. It is the largest ferry county in Norway and can get five new free routes. In the previous round, we received a number of reactions from certain municipalities who felt they had been passed over. They can now lower their shoulders, says Storting representative Siv Mossleth (Sp). Believes free ferries have yielded results When the free ferries were introduced this summer, many feared traffic chaos on the free routes. It didn’t turn out that way. At least on some stretches in Nordland. Siv Mossleth still believes that they have seen that the free ferry has produced good results. – I hear that people travel more by ferry when it becomes cheaper, for example, for families to take trips compared to before. We also get feedback that this has been good news for businesses in the districts, she says. Critical voices also feared that the free ferry would give the county councils extra expenses. Mossleth does what she can to reassure the skeptics. VIKTOG FOR SP: – We are very pleased that we can fulfill the election promise of a free ferry for islands and places without a mainland connection, says Siv Mossleth, parliamentary representative for the Center Party in Nordland. Photo: Senterpartiet – The intention is for the county municipalities to have their expenses covered, she says. Storting representative Geir Inge Lien (Sp) from Møre og Romsdal believes it is important for the government to fulfill its promises about free ferries. – This is important both for commuters and the business world, which depends on using the ferry, he says. Mayor of Herøy municipality, Elbjørg Larsen (Ap), is happy that all ferry connections in the municipality can become free. But she thinks it takes too long. These sections are already free Nordland Digermulen – Finnvik Stokkvågen – Træna Mosjøen – Hundåla Igerøy – Tjøtta Nordnesøy – Kilboghamn Sund – Horsdal – Søarrnøy Ørnes – Vassdalsvik – Meløysund – Bolga – Støtt Svolvær – Skrova – Skutvik Nesna – Nesnaøyene Stokkvågen – Onøy – Sleneset – Lovund Jektvik – Kilboghamn Tjøtta – Forvik Horn – Igerøy Vestland Hisarøy – Mjånes Barmen – Barmsund Ortnevik – Måren – Nordeide Klokkarvik – Lerøy – Bjelkarøy – Hjellestad Daløy – Haldorsneset Fjelberg – Sydnes – Utbjoa Kinsarvik – Utne Fedje – Sævrøy Flora Basin Masfjordnes – Duesund Rysjedalsvika – Rutledal – Krakhella Husavik – Sandvikvåg Troms and Finnmark Mikkelsby – Kongshus Øksfjord – Bergsfjord – Sør–Tverrfjord Øksfjord – Tverrfjord Mikkelvik – Bromnes Strømsnes – Kjerringholmen Rotsund – Havnnes – Uløybukt Nyvoll – Eidsnes (Korsfjord) Bellvik – Vengsøy Øksfjord – Hasvik Botnhamn – Brensholmen Storstein – Nikkeby – Lauksundskaret Hansnes- Karlsøy- Vannøy Hansnes- Reinøy Møre and Romsdal Molde – Sekken Festøya – Hundeidvika Småge – Orta – Finnøya – Sandøya – Ona Arasvika – Henset Sæbø – Leknes – Skår – Trandal – Standal Trøndelag Dypfest-Tarva Storfosna-Leksa-Værnes Sula – Mausund – Dyrøy Garten-Storfosna Skei – Gutvik Rogaland Haugesund – Utsira Stavanger – Lysebotn Innlandet Tangen – Horn Agder Abelnes – Andabeløy Divided opinions about the scheme – This is a day of joy. At the same time, I find it incomprehensible that the scheme will not come into force before 16 August, says Larsen. She would rather have a gradual phase-in of the free ferry. The reason is that the mayor fears that it could have major consequences for many, all the while the ferries cost what they cost. – Both for the commuters and for the business community, it will be expensive to have to wait until 16 August next year. In addition, we will then also enter a summer season where it will still be challenging to get the tourists here without a free ferry, says Larsen. She suggests that the county council can contribute money until 16 August. – Or they can try to influence the state, says Larsen. Mayor of Smøla municipality, Svein Roksvåg (Sp), rejoices that there will now be a free ferry to the island community on Nordmøre. He believes that this will be of great importance to the municipality. ON TOUR: Mayor of Smøla municipality, Svein Roksvåg, believes that a free ferry can have a lot to say for his municipality. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news – This links Smøla closer to the rest of the country. It will be easier to travel and will save both travelers and those who transport goods to Smøla great costs. The threshold to get to and from Smøla will be much lower. Passenger Silje Strand is also happy about the news of a free ferry. – This makes it much easier to get off the island. You are dependent on the ferry when you live here, so it is important that you can afford to get off the island, because the ferry is expensive, she says. MUST USE FERRY: For Silje Stand, the ferry is very important. She is happy that it can now be free. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news
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Will provide even more free ferry across the country. – news Nordland
