Why Is Everyone in Østfold Waiting for a Bus That Never Comes?
Well, well, well, folks! If you think getting a bus these days is a challenge, just wait until you hear about the public transport situation in Østfold. County mayor Sindre Martinsen-Evje (that’s a mouthful, right?) recently lamented that we *aren’t* reaching our targets for getting people onto public transport. Apparently, those targets are as elusive as my social life after a Thursday night pub crawl!
The Vanishing Buses of Østfold
It’s official, folks: in Østfold, buses seem to be as rare as good news on a Monday. Many passengers are losing their bus services quicker than a bad magician vanishes a rabbit. “A tragedy!” cries our buddy Martinsen-Evje while clenching his fists in despair. Meanwhile, in neighboring Buskerud, 10% of the services have already disappeared! If those numbers keep up, next we’ll be losing bus stops altogether—one minute you’re at the stop, and poof, it’s gone!
Public Transport? More Like Public Disappointment!
In Akershus, it’s about to get pricier to hop on that underwhelming public transport system. Next year’s ticket prices are set to rise faster than the tension in an awkward family dinner. Even *Oslo*’s Ruter and Sporveien are fessing up to their financial troubles, claiming they lack the funds to keep the trams and subways running smoothly. Meanwhile, the city council plays the classic “we’ll promise no route cuts” game—what are they going to do? Just skip the budget meeting?
The Real Cost of Cuts
The crying shame here? Akershus is about to lose a cool NOK 250 million because of government budget proposals, which is basically the universe’s way of saying, “Sorry, but public transport isn’t on this year’s gift list.” County council leader Anette Solli acknowledges that their plan to scrap discounts for frequent travelers isn’t going to win any popularity contests. One commuter, Camilla Skinnhaugen, was less than impressed, declaring, “It’s sad. If we’re trying to reduce car usage, why make public transport more expensive?” Wise words, Camilla.
Cutting One Leg off the Table
As for Buskerud, it’s cutting bus routes worth NOK 45 million—wonderful, right? And it’s not just about hopping on the bus; it’s a domino effect! Fewer buses mean fewer folks getting to train stations, which in turn means even fewer train passengers. Talk about a transportation crisis spiral!
A Cry for Help: “We Need a Crisis Package!”
Now, with all these cuts and complaints piling up, Sindre Martinsen-Evje isn’t shy about calling for a crisis package. The situation is dire! “It’s dramatic!” he claims, and let me tell you, he’s absolutely right. With half of Norway’s population residing in Eastern Norway, this isn’t a mere scratch on the surface; this is a full-blown emergency. Picture this: people unable to travel to work or having to scrap their public transport plans altogether. Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, it could be pouring rain too.
Then There’s the Developments in Oslo
While all this chaos unfolds, environmental and transport council member Marit Kristine Vea in Oslo is wringing her hands over the real risk: more cars on the road. With public transport getting pricier and worse, who wouldn’t consider driving? “That could mean more traffic jams and pollution!” she warns. And don’t we just love a good classic level of irony? The very policies meant to encourage environmentally-friendly travel might instead drive us all back into our gas-guzzling vehicles.
Promises, Promises
But wait! There’s more! Vea insists she’s guaranteed that services will not be cut; however, her lips are sealed on adding more money to the budget. Uh-oh! Isn’t that always the first clue that we’re about to see the biggest “but” in history? “It’s too early to say,” she coyly replies, which sounds suspiciously like political double-talk if I’ve ever heard it!
More Money Needed Now!
Sigbjørn Gjelsvik, chair of the transport committee, echoed the cries for help. He pointed out that municipalities need more funding, but what’s the likelihood of that turning into actual cash? Slim to none, I’m afraid! You can practically hear the crickets chirping as leaders across various counties discuss prioritizing their budgets. It’s like a dysfunctional family trying to coordinate a picnic—everyone wants different foods, and nobody wants to bring the fried chicken!
So What’s the Punchline?
To sum it all up: If you’re in Eastern Norway, buckle up (figuratively, of course) because public transport is heading into crisis mode. If the funds don’t come pouring in, we might all be riding the buses out of our imagination! So keep your tickets handy, your patience ready, but also—maybe invest in a bicycle? Just saying!
– We are not reaching the targets for more people to travel by public transport and choose green journeys when there is no bus, says county mayor in Østfold, Sindre Martinsen-Evje (Ap).
In Østfold, many lose their bus from Monday to week.
In Buskerud, 10 percent of the bus service is already gone.
– I would characterize that as critical. It is very special at a time when we encourage people to travel by public transport, says county mayor Tore Opdal Hansen (H).
In Akershus, it is planned that the tickets will be more expensive next year.
In Oslo, Ruter and Sporveien say they have too little money to run trams and subways. The city council, for its part, guarantees that there will be no route cuts.
More about Oslo later.
Hearing in the Storting
The collective cuts in Eastern Norway are due to ailing county finances.
According to the counties, only more money from the state can save public transport.
This week, a number of county leaders are begging in the Storting. There is a hearing in the transport committee about the national budget
The travel discount will disappear
Akershus loses NOK 250 million as a direct result of the budget proposal from the government, according to the county council.
The county council presented its proposal for the 2025 budget on Monday.
– We who live in Akershus will notice that it will be more expensive to travel by public transport, acknowledges county council leader Anette Solli (H).
The county council will remove the so-called Reis discount for adults, which makes the single ticket cheaper the more you travel.
In addition, they are proposing a general price increase for adults on all tickets, including the monthly pass.
Commuters are not impressed.
– I think it’s sad. When we are going to use a smaller car, it is a strange way of thinking, says Camilla Skinnhaugen, whom NRK meets in Lillestrøm.
COMMUTERS: Camilla Skinnhaugen.
Photo: Dag Aasdalen / NRK
– Vaklevorent
– We don’t have very many sources other than the government, Oslo Package 3 and ticket revenue when it comes to financing public transport.
– When one leg becomes more wobbly, it affects those who travel by public transport, says Anette Solli.
Taking money from secondary schools, another major county responsibility, is not an option.
– Our task is to manage to establish enough school places from now on, says the Akershus manager.
AKERSHUS HEAD: County council leader Anette Solli (H).
Photo: Bård Nafstad / NRK
– Affects train passengers
Buskerud has already cut bus routes for NOK 45 million. According to the county mayor, this corresponds to 10 percent of the bus service.
– The cities that are initially affected are Hønefoss, Kongsberg and the Drammens area. says Tore Opdal Hansen.
BUSKERUD CHIEF: County mayor Tore Opdal Hansen (H).
Photo: Maria Kommandantvold / DKBU
He hopes to release further cuts next year, but does not rule it out.
– It will not only affect those who travel by bus. I am quite sure that it will also affect those who travel by train, he says.
Many people take buses to the railway stations and continue to work by train.
– Need a crisis package
In Østfold, they are cutting bus routes for NOK 54 million on Monday. Indre Østfold, Moss and Halden are hit hardest.
– This means that there are mainly no buses after 6pm and at weekends. So it is unfortunately a far worse offer, says the county mayor.
His message to the Storting and party colleagues from the Labor Party is clear.
– We need a crisis package, says Sindre Martinsen-Evje.
The county councils believe it is correct to talk about a collective crisis in Eastern Norway.
– Yes, when you consider that almost half of the country’s inhabitants live in the region we are talking about, such large cuts are dramatic, says Martinsen-Evje.
ØSTFOLD CHIEF: County mayor Sindre Martinsen-Evje (Ap)
Photo: Malin Therese Strand / NRK
Fearing more cars entering Oslo
In the middle sits a concerned environmental and transport council in Oslo and sees that public transport around the city is getting more expensive and worse.
Many people commute to Oslo for work.
– Then of course the car becomes a much more attractive alternative. For Oslo, it could mean more traffic jams, chaos, pollution and delays. It is extremely serious and completely contrary to the green development we want in our region, says Marit Kristine Vea (V).
– Now the Storting must take action and contribute more of a crisis package to public transport. A collective crisis is developing in Eastern Norway, she says.
CONCERNED CITY COUNCIL: Oslo Environment and Transport Council, Marit Kristine Vea (V).
Photo: Rolf Petter Olaisen / NRK
Guarantees the offer
But can she herself promise that there will be no route cuts in Oslo? Ruter and Sporveien have announced that they lack more than half a billion to run trams and subways for.
Yes, she says.
– I have now been presented with some new figures which show that there are increased costs also for public transport in Oslo. It is of course something we take seriously, and now we have to follow the numbers.
– I have given a guarantee that stands by law. It is that we will continue to develop public transport in Oslo. It is not relevant to cut the offer for Oslo’s population.
– Does that mean you want to put more money on the table?
– It is too early to say, says Marit Vea.
– Need for more money
Sigbjørn Gjelsvik from the ruling party the Center Party is chairman of the transport committee and will lead the hearings on the national budget there.
He points to the Minister of Local Government Erling Sande (Sp) having announced that there is a need for more money for municipalities and counties.
However, he has little faith in crisis packages for single purposes.
NO TO CRISIS PACKAGE: Chair of the transport and communications committee at the Storting, Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp).
Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB
– Where the needs are greatest will vary from county to county, and it is the county politicians’ responsibility to prioritize. It is the general economy of the counties that must be strengthened, and the government is actively working on that, says Gjelsvik.
Published 23.10.2024, at 06.15 Updated 23.10.2024, at 07.45
