2021 was the second year of the pandemic, and Ruter worked systematically to prepare for the new normal. Over the past year, we made great strides in ensuring the availability of public transport for everyone. We launched a new app and retired Oda. In September we were delighted to see society emerging from lockdown and celebrated with campaigns encouraging people to explore Oslo. Even though another lockdown was announced in December, it was great to be able to introduce new electric island boats, and we look forward to brighter times in 2022.
In January 2021, Ruter took over responsibility for Facilitated Transport (FT) in Oslo. FT is a service offering alternative transport to people who – due to disability or illness – are unable to use public transport. The reason for the transfer to Ruter is that it was deemed useful to integrate FT into standard public transport and other on-demand transport offerings.
At the beginning of 2021, Ruter sent out smile buttons to allow passengers to smile – even while wearing a face mask. The idea was to help make the city more friendly in a challenging time. More than 5,000 people ordered a smile 😊
In March, Ruter published its third digital annual report and was awarded silver in the Farmand Awards for the best digital annual report in Norway. Ruter won bronze in the same competition in 2019 and gold in 2020 – which means its annual report can now boast the full set of gold, silver and bronze medals.
On 22 April, a new generation of self-driving buses was finally introduced to passengers in Ski. The plan was originally to be fully operational as early as January, but the pandemic resulted in delay. Line 529 runs between the residential area of Hebekk and Ski Station. The aim is to identify the effects that such a service may have on reducing car use in the area and to investigate how self-driving vehicles can be used to create an enhanced public transport service in the capital region.
It is important to keep the proportion of paying customers high – in order to maintain an efficient public transport system. In May, we again started to thank everyone who always bought a ticket, something we know motivates customers to pay every time they travel.
As a city in rapid growth boasting only an eleven-minute train journey time to central Oslo, Ski is the perfect place to test the mobility solutions of the future. Ruter, Bane NOR Eiendom, Entur and Nordre Follo Municipality launched a pilot mobility point at Ski Station to encourage more people to leave their cars at home. The mobility point will also be an attractive hub in the municipality. Find out more about the mobility point her.
From 18 June, Ruter rolled out a completely new app that allows travellers both to plan their journey and buy a ticket. The idea is to give customers everything they need for their journey in one place. The app also introduces the ability to set up a personal profile which provides customers with personalised content and information.
The app has been developed in line with modern and flexible development principles, which means that new features can be added continuously.
Technological development is moving so fast that in the summer of 2021, the self-driving bus Oda was already retired, having been on the road since 2019. But she continues to play an important role as she has moved into the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology where she will spend the next few years. Her mission will be to showcase history and continue the important work of generating confidence in and understanding of self-driving technology among Ruter customers and the general public as a whole.
In 2021, Ruter’s 170 ticket machines on the metro network and at certain junctions became history. This was because the ticket machines were hardly being used. More than 97% of Ruter customers buy tickets in other ways than from ticket machines. Instead, new travel card readers are being installed on the metro.
In July, Asker Municipality saw its first micromobility hub offering both electric scooters and electric bicycles. Travel offering shared micromobility across municipal boundaries between Asker and Bærum was also introduced. We wanted to make it easier for the residents of Asker to replace car travel with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Find out more about Ruter’s micromobility plans here.
Throughout the summer, people were finally able to take back their capital city. We wanted to facilitate scenarios that people might be experiencing for the first time in a long time, and we look forward to everyone being able to travel as normal again.
On 25 September 2021, public transport finally reopened as normal. Barriers on the first row of seats on board trams and buses were removed. Posters and stickers with reminders for passengers to keep their distance and wear a face mask were replaced with friendly messages about travelling on public transport. It also became possible to pay cash for tickets on the bus again. Meet the bus drivers who are happy to be able to say hello again 😊
Ruter’s testing of flexible door-to-door on-demand transport in Nes Municipality restarted after being temporarily suspended for two periods during the pandemic. When the service was launched in 2019, it was aimed at people aged 67 and over, but has now been made available to everyone.
At the end of lockdown, we were very happy to be able to encourage people to travel by public transport again. We wanted to give everyone ideas on what to do in our capital city – by providing inspiration on a wide range of culinary and cultural options.
Through thick fog on 16 December, the first of five newly built, modern and emission-free island boats arrived in Oslo where it was being prepared for passenger traffic in 2022. The electrification of the island boats will make Oslo a showcase for green shipping and take us one step closer to the goal of becoming the world’s first emission-free city.
