FRP’s Bold Transport Plan: Fuel Price Cuts and Increased Infrastructure Spending
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Norway’s Progress Party (FRP) is surging in opinion polls and presenting a comprehensive alternative state budget with a strong focus on transport, promising significant fuel price reductions and a substantial increase in infrastructure investment.
The FRP proposes to alleviate the financial burden on drivers by cutting taxes on petrol and diesel, responding to soaring fuel costs that disproportionately impact rural communities. “We see that fuel prices are skyrocketing, and prices are very high now. That is why we propose to reduce the pump price,” stated Bård Hoksrud, the FRP’s transport policy spokesperson, to Nettavisen. The party plans to present its full budget proposal on Friday, outlining a plan to lower petrol prices by NOK 3 per litre, including VAT, and diesel by NOK 2.5.
Fuel Price Relief for Norwegian Drivers
The proposed fuel price cuts will be achieved by halving the road use tax and reversing the government’s planned increase in the CO2 tax on petrol and diesel. The initiative is estimated to cost over NOK 5 billion. Hoksrud sharply criticized the current finance minister, suggesting a disconnect between policy and the realities faced by everyday drivers. “It is a bit special that we have a finance minister who for the last 10-15 years has mostly driven black cars, has sat in the back seat and has let others pay for their fuel,” he remarked.
The FRP argues that affordable fuel is crucial, particularly for those living outside of major urban centers. “If you come a little outside of Oslo, you can see that the car is something you are very dependent on. Especially in the rural areas, this is extremely important and means a lot to people,” Hoksrud explained. He acknowledged the shift towards electric vehicles but emphasized the need to support those who continue to rely on petrol and diesel cars, whether due to financial constraints or practical necessity. “It is the case that many people still have petrol and diesel cars…Others depend on a petrol and diesel car because they have a job situation or there are other reasons why they need it.”
Record Investment in Transport Infrastructure
Beyond fuel prices, the FRP’s alternative budget allocates a record-breaking NOK 110 billion to transport, an increase of NOK 8 billion over the government’s proposed NOK 102 billion. This increased funding will be directed towards both road and rail projects, addressing what the party views as a critical need for improved infrastructure.
The FRP is prioritizing road maintenance, proposing an additional NOK 600 million for national roads and NOK 1 billion for county roads, alongside an extra NOK 500 million for railway maintenance. “We have seen an ugly development in terms of accidents on the county road network in 2025, with more people killed so far this year than there were in the whole of last year,” Hoksrud emphasized, highlighting the urgency of addressing the growing maintenance backlog.
Furthermore, the party intends to invest an additional NOK 1 billion in road construction through Nye Veier and NOK 500 million in major projects at the Norwegian Road Administration.
Funding the Increased Spending
The FRP plans to finance these increased costs by re-evaluating what they deem “symbolic climate measures,” specifically targeting offshore wind and the electrification of the shelf. They also intend to adjust foreign aid allocations. Details of these adjustments will be unveiled during the budget presentation on Friday.
While the FRP is not proposing a complete removal of tolls, they have allocated NOK 1.4 billion to reduce toll rates and plan to halve tolls in Mandal and Kristiansand, addressing concerns about excessively high costs. “That is our goal, and where we are going. This is a very good step on the way there,” Hoksrud stated.
Government Response and Current Priorities
The current government proposes a NOK 102.1 billion investment in transport for 2026, with allocations of NOK 50.4 billion for roads, NOK 35.7 billion for railways, NOK 7.1 billion for urban areas, and NOK 4.9 billion for aviation. Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård (Ap) has emphasized the government’s commitment to prioritizing maintenance of the national road network, stating that “Operation, maintenance and improvements have been de-prioritized for far too long.” The government plans to spend NOK 11.4 billion on operation and maintenance of national roads and NOK 24.4 billion on investments.
The FRP’s ambitious transport plan represents a significant challenge to the government’s priorities, offering a contrasting vision for the future of transport in Norway and potentially reshaping the political landscape as the party continues to gain momentum in the polls.
