The municipal executive board has adopted a consultation response emphasizing better conditions for commuters and permanent residents. As a first step, the municipality wants a trial scheme with reserved queue spaces until dedicated commuter lanes can be established, and demands increased capacity in the summer half-year. The Norwegian Parliament has decided that the government shall investigate a resident card system for ferries, and the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has sent the proposal for consultation with a deadline of May 31.
The municipality proposes introducing a commuter card that gives priority on ferries, which they can administer themselves for a fee. As a more social alternative to the current pricing system, the municipality proposes a resident card giving permanent residents free ferry all year, while visitors pay full price. Priority in the queue should still be reserved for those commuting for work.
Details on eligibility criteria for the proposed commuter card, enforcement of reserved queue spaces without dedicated lanes, and funding for the trial scheme remain unclear.