Will Norway Lower Ticket Prices? It May Follow Sweden's Lead
Sweden will cut the price of monthly bus and train tickets by half. The change is set to apply from July 1 until the end of 2026. Norway's Green Party wants Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre's government to do the same.
Transport policy is widely discussed in the context of the revised state budget proposal.
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Sweden's decision is a response to record-high fuel prices. The cost of the measure is estimated at 6.5 billion Swedish kronor. The Green Party points out that a similar solution should be introduced in Norway. They are making this one of the main points in talks about the revised state budget.
The Greens Put Pressure on the Government. Will Støre Make Concessions?
Oda Indgaard, the Green Party's spokesperson for transport, says that Norway should follow Sweden's example. According to her, lowering the price of monthly tickets would be a concrete form of support for passengers. She believes that Støre's government is already late. In her opinion, Sweden's decision is a clear signal for the authorities in Oslo.
The Greens are now set to negotiate the revised state budget with the government. The party wants cheaper and better public transport. Among their demands is funding for a nationwide monthly ticket. Indgaard emphasizes that public transport prices in Norway have long been rising faster than the wages of ordinary residents.
The Greens are now set to negotiate the revised state budget with the government. The party wants cheaper and better public transport. Among their demands is funding for a nationwide monthly ticket. Indgaard emphasizes that public transport prices in Norway have long been rising faster than the wages of ordinary residents.
The availability of buses and trains is meant to be an alternative to, among other things, car travel and high fuel prices.Photo: Kjetil Ree (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Monthly Ticket for 499 NOK? The Greens Set Conditions
The Green Party proposes a nationwide monthly ticket for 499 NOK. Party representatives claim that such a solution could bring significant savings to families commuting to work and school. Indgaard points out that transport policy should better support people without cars—students, young people, families on a tight budget, and those dependent on buses and trains.
Ticket prices in Norway have already been reduced before. This happened at the beginning of May after a budget agreement involving the Greens. 1.7 billion NOK was allocated for cheaper monthly tickets and better transport services. In Oslo, the price of a ticket in the first zone dropped from 855 to 605 NOK. For three or more zones, the reduction was up to 400 NOK.
Ticket prices in Norway have already been reduced before. This happened at the beginning of May after a budget agreement involving the Greens. 1.7 billion NOK was allocated for cheaper monthly tickets and better transport services. In Oslo, the price of a ticket in the first zone dropped from 855 to 605 NOK. For three or more zones, the reduction was up to 400 NOK.
However, the reductions may not be permanent. Prices could rise again if the government does not extend funding in the budget for the next year. The Labour Party does not comment on individual demands during negotiations. Tuva Moflag, the party's spokesperson for finance, stated that the goal is a responsible and comprehensive budget that secures residents' finances in uncertain times.
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