3 Reforming the transport sector
Competitiveness, value creation and a continued high level of welfare require a modern and efficient transport system. In order to achieve this, the Government has implemented a number of reforms in the transport sector. Some of the most important reforms are:
New technology based on ITS (Intelligent Transport System) shall be implemented faster.
A highway construction company – Nye Veier AS – has been established. The company is a limited liability company which will be in charge of the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of 530 km of the main road network.
A new set of rules governing PPPs (public-private partnerships) has been established. This framework emphasises the use of PPP for the purpose of ensuring efficient project execution, while project financing over the fiscal budget is largely independent of how a particular project is organised.
New legislation to facilitate modular truck/trailer combinations on specific roads will reduce transport costs and increase the efficiency of freight transport. New rules can reduce transport costs for some loads by up to 50 per cent compared to traditional truck/trailer combinations.
In order to minimise the total administrative costs on toll roads, the number of toll road companies will be reduced from approximately 60 to a maximum of five companies.
The electronic tag provider will be separated from the toll charger companies, in order to ensure increased user friendliness. This will also allow greater scope for specific customer friendly solutions.
A new Railway Directorate is responsible for long term planning, purchasing of passenger rail services, purchasing of infrastructure services and co-ordination with operators in the rail sector and within the public transport sector.
The main parts of the former National Rail Administration have been transformed into a state-owned enterprise, Bane NOR SF, which will be responsible for managing, operating, maintaining and renewing the railway infrastructure. It is also responsible for rail traffic control.
A national port strategy has been launched, and is the first of its kind.
New regulations will allow more vessels to sail without a pilot.
The pilotage service has been reorganised. A call for tenders for the pilotage transport service was carried out in 2016.
Air navigation will be opened up for competition.
A new infrastructure fund has been established in order to promote predictable and long term financing of infrastructure projects. The fund has accumulated 100 billion NOK.
Stricter monitoring and control of efficiency in subordinate agencies.
Measures to reduce the time spent on planning processes have been established.
Measures for better control of project costs have been put in place.
Figure 3.1 Sign announcing construction
Photo: Anders Martinsen fotografer