Bloomberg: Norway’s Oil Capital Offers Free Public Transport to Locals
July 06, 2023 Stavanger, Norway, has joined the ranks of European cities offering free public transit, with residents able to access buses, trains, and local ferries through a mobile app. The initiative aims to promote green transportation and reduce reliance on private vehicles, aligning with Stavanger’s transition to an “energy capital” focused on renewable energy. The experimental policy, backed by additional fare subsidies, has garnered both support and criticism from locals, with some questioning the allocation of funds. Stavanger’s move follows similar initiatives in cities like Tallinn, Dunkirk, and Luxembourg, which aim to encourage public transit use and address mobility equity concerns. However, the effectiveness of such policies in reducing car usage remains uncertain, with mixed results observed in countries like Luxembourg.