The Municipality of Oslo and Viken in Norway have launched an experimental scheme offering free public transport to asylum seekers.
The program has been in force since May 2, 2023. It is valid for a trial year for Ruter, Brakar and Østfold public transport. The aim of the program is to help newly arrived refugees, who often do not have the means to pay for public transport.
A year ago, Yasir Ahmed, head of Likestilling, LIN and former member of the Islamic Council of Norway, appeared on the NRK Debate and stated that it was discriminatory against Muslims that Ukrainian refugees could travel for free on buses and trains in Norway. The tirade about discrimination was obviously profitable. From May 2, all asylum seekers can travel for free on public transport in Oslo and Viken.
Also read: Convicted of sharing a video on social media
“Together with our mass transit companies, we want to do everything we can to help newly arrived asylum seekers. It was important for us to implement a system that would apply to all newly arrived asylum seekers. So I'm glad we've made this decision in Viken as well, says Viken Transport Councilor Olav Skinnes.
The program counteracts discrimination and shows solidarity in practice. An experimental program aims to offer free public transport to asylum seekers, regardless of their background. Asylum seekers in Norway receive between NOK 15 and 68 per day, which is often not enough to cover the cost of public transport. Under the scheme, asylum seekers must present a valid asylum certificate in order to use free public transport.
– Refugees arriving in Norway find themselves in a difficult and unpredictable situation. Oslo will give a helping hand to those who had to flee and leave behind everything they have, says Sirin Stav, Oslo City Councillor.
Definition of asylum seeker
A refugee is a person who meets the protection (asylum) requirements. An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for protection (asylum) in Norway and has not been finally examined.
It can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year for an asylum application to be processed, and it is also possible to appeal a rejection of an asylum application. There is therefore a wide range of length of stay for an asylum seeker in Norway.
Like us on Facebook and share our post with others. Thank you.
Source: HRS, Viken Fylkeskommune
Read and learn more: Changing from winter to summer tires - what should we check?
