Public transport must be a decisive element in our solutions for the future

I am quite sure that the challenge we are facing in Norway is familiar to the majority assembled here: our population is increasing, especially in the towns and cities. There is less room for each and every one of us. Traffic, both private and public, is increasing. We simply cannot construct our way out of the traffic jams we are experiencing and the environmental impact that vehicles have. This is why public transport must be a decisive element in our solutions for the future.

Thousands of people use public transport every day. For many, the bus, train, tram or city or suburban light railway is the sole means of transport to and from work, school or leisure time activities. The number of passengers carried by public transport in Norway increased by 9.6% from 2005 to 2009. This is approximately the same growth as we have seen in private car usage.

In the capital, Oslo, we have seen growth of 37% since 2000. Public transport represented a high percentage of motorised traffic, 45%. In 2010, there was zero growth in private vehicle traffic. This is precisely the development we have worked to attain, and which we wish to see in more of our larger towns and cities.

If we are to reduce the destructive environmental impact of the transport sector, it is essential to inspire a greater number of people to leave their cars parked and to instead choose to walk, cycle or use public transport. Due to – amongst other reasons – our cold climate, several Norwegian towns and cities are heavily polluted during the winter months. Road traffic is one of the major reasons that air quality is periodically very poor. This is why a transition to more environmentally friendly forms of transport is absolutely essential in order to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases from road usage. Norway’s aim is to reduce emissions from transport by 10-15% by 2020.

A well developed and functioning public transport service is a vital factor in ensuring good air quality in our towns and cities, as well as for attaining our stated aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Public transport must therefore account for a far higher percentage of the increase in traffic in the future than is currently the case. Local train services, light railways, trams and not least buses, will be key elements in the solutions of the future.

In Norway we work on the basis of 10-year transport plans. Work on a new National Transport Plan for the period 2014–2023 is well under way. Public transport will be a key feature of this plan.

It is not enough to simply expand and extend public transport services. Zoning, area planning and transport planning must be carefully co-ordinated. Area usage models must minimise the need for transport, and ensure that facilities are in place to accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and public transport. Furthermore, restrictions on private car use must also be increased, for example through queue charges and/or restrictive parking policies.

Without carefully chosen restrictive measures, we will risk seeing a massive traffic growth that further constricts in our towns and cities in the years ahead.

We want to see a traffic system that is designed to accommodate everyone. Transport infrastructure must be designed to ensure that public transport services are available to as many people as possible, and without the need for special aids or assistance. The problem is of course that the area has been neglected for too long, and that the challenges we face have been allowed to increase almost unchecked. Many challenges will have to be resolved before we will be able to say that we have achieved a truly comprehensive and unified transport system. Norway’s chosen strategy is to focus in the first instance on the development of the largest public transport hubs serving the highest passenger volumes, with particular emphasis on ensuring compatibility and integration throughout the system.

The railways and the challenges associated with these have been in the spotlight in Norway in recent years. The winter of 2009/2010 in particular saw many problems, with an unacceptable number of interruptions to services. The infrastructure is in poor shape after many years with minimum budget allocations. However, a major turnaround is in progress. A massive effort, including measures to upgrade the infrastructure in the Oslo region, have already resulted in great improvements in rail traffic this winter compared to the previous winter. Further major improvements are being carried out, including the construction of several new double-track stretches, and the entering of 50 new engine and coach sets into service.

Of equal importance is that in connection with the new Transport Plan, we have commenced work on a number of new studies, including a study on the tracks between Oslo and its neighbouring towns. We are also evaluating the possibility of introducing high-speed trains between the largest Norwegian towns and cities.

Norway’s level of ambition for the future of public transport is higher than ever before. Yes, there is much that must fall into place with regard to the next National Transport Plan – but I am confident that our goals will be realised, and with the best possible result! I would also like to underscore that the efforts of our European neighbours in the field of public transport continue to be a source of inspiration.