In the budget negotiations for the revised national budget, the Labour Party, Centre Party and Socialist Left Party agreed that discounts on train journeys for students and children should be improved. So from October 1, 2024, a 50% discount on period and single tickets for students and 75% discount on single tickets for children will be introduced!
The Minister of Transport says that they have prioritised longer journeys this time, and the discounts will therefore apply to most longer train routes, but also all trains in Eastern Norway! The exception is travel within the zones of Ruter, Skyss, ATB and Kolumbus. The discounts will also not apply to tickets sold at a reduced price, or to additional products from train companies.
John Magne Gjønnes, the Welfare and Learning Environment Policy Officer in the Executive Committee of StInn, had this to say about the matter; Students have many things on their minds in their daily lives and one of those things is that they want to go home for Christmas, at least that's what I do! Unfortunately, this is not always easy, as the journey can be long and often becomes expensive. Fortunately, the Norwegian Railway Directorate has understood this! Now students get a 50% discount on single and period tickets. This is great for us students, as this is a real initiative that will make a difference for us! VELMA approved this message.
Remember to bring a valid student ID, and then just jump on the train to visit parents, grandparents and the neighbour's chicken!
Sources:
Jernbanedirektoratet. (2024, July 1). Cheaper train tickets for children and students. https://www.jernbanedirektoratet.no/nyheter/billigere-togbilletter-for-barn-og-studenter/
Ministry of Transport. (2024, August 27). Cheaper train tickets for students and children. [Press release]. https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/billigere-togbilletter-for-studenter-og-barn/id3051358/
Vy. (2024, August 27). Up to 75% discount on train tickets for children and students. https://www.vy.no/aktuelt/opptil-75prosent-rabatt-pa-togbilletter-for-barn-og-studenter