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Oslo set to cut cost of monthly public transport pass

In a significant move aimed at benefiting commuters and residents alike, Oslo has announced plans to reduce the cost of its monthly public transport pass.

Published: 24 October 2023 15:40 CEST

Oslo bus

Any reduction in the price of public transport passes requires agreement between Oslo and Akershus. Photo by Gunnar Ridderström on Unsplash

The new Oslo City Council wants to slash the price for a monthly public transport card within Zone 1 for adults from the current 853 kroner to a more affordable 499 kroner.

This development stems from a City Council declaration jointly presented by the Conservative (H) and Liberal (V) parties on a Tuesday afternoon, a move that has been reported by Norwegian news outlets, including Avisa Oslo, the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), and Aftenposten.

This price adjustment is expected to take place during the upcoming four-year period.

Zone 1, encompassing the city of Oslo and select parts of Bærum, is set to benefit from this cost reduction.

However, it’s worth noting that any reduction in the price of public transport passes requires agreement and coordination with Akershus, as both Oslo and Akershus jointly own Ruter, the entity responsible for public transportation services in the region.

Should the two city councils reach an agreement, the effort could enhance the availability and ease of transportation in and around Oslo.

Details and pricing related to the monthly pass and zones in the area can be found on Ruter’s website.

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'I live here, unfortunately': Visit Oslo's new video ad reveals Norwegian humour

A recent video ad featuring Norway’s capital by VisitOSLO, the official marketing organisation for Oslo and the surrounding regions, has been attracting considerable attention on social media.

READ MORE: One day in Oslo: How to spend 24 hours in the Norwegian capital

Featuring the dry, understated humour typical of Norway, the ad stands out by not trying too hard to sell the city’s charms but instead offering an ironically halfhearted endorsement from a local.

A unique tour of Oslo

The ad’s protagonist, 31-year-old Oslo resident Halfdan, gives viewers a tour of his city through a lens of gentle mockery.

“I wouldn’t come here, to be honest,” he begins with a deadpan expression, setting the tone for the entire ad, before adding ‘I temporarily live here… unfortunately’.

As he wanders through the streets, he continues, “Oslo is just not… I mean, is it even a city, you know what I mean? Everything is just so… Available, you know? There’s no exclusiveness.”

His commentary highlights Oslo’s accessibility and small-town vibe, a contrast to the exclusivity often boasted by larger international capitals.

Halfdan also playfully jabs at the city’s cultural scene: “Culture? I don’t know. If you don’t have to stand in line for a couple of hours, is it even worth seeing?”

Standing in front of Edvard Munch’s famous painting The Scream, he quips, “It’s not exactly the Mona Lisa.”

And he also takes a dig at the locals who swim in Oslo’s fairly pristine waters. “It’s disgusting,” he says.

Reactions on Twitter

The ad has sparked a flurry of reactions on Twitter, showcasing that it resonated with audiences.

One user praised the ad’s cleverness: “This is pretty great. If people don’t ‘get it,’ they don’t deserve to go.”

Others echoed this sentiment with comments like “A city is also its attitude. And the choice of narrative in this ad says it so well” and “I want to visit Oslo now, haha.”

However, amidst the praises, some users pointed to Oslo’s high prices as an obstacle, with one noting, “Good ad. Except. It’s just LUDICROUSLY expensive. Like, laughably, impossibly so.”

Another added, “He got his table at that restaurant so easily because those three pieces of asparagus will cost him 50 US dollars.”

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