Norwegian Family’s Three-Hour School Commute Highlights Systemic Transportation Issues
A father in Akershus, Norway, is speaking out after his children faced an arduous and often failed commute to and from school, exposing potential flaws in the region’s student transportation system. The ordeal, lasting for months, underscores the challenges faced by families relying on public transport for school access and raises questions about accountability and response times from transportation authorities.
Bjørn Erik Steinseth moved from Nittedal to Roa this summer, seeking a more affordable home for his family. He shares custody of his 9- and 11-year-old children, who are entitled to school transport. However, the promised convenience quickly devolved into a daily struggle.
A 40-Kilometer journey Riddled with Delays
the school the children attend remains in Nittedal, approximately 40 kilometers from their new home in Roa. While entitled to school transport,the initial arrangement proved deeply problematic. A shuttle bus connection to a train was frequently delayed or simply didn’t run, particularly after a key shuttle route was discontinued as of September 1st. This resulted in waits exceeding 1.5 hours at the station. On a typical school day, the children don’t arrive home until 5:15 p.m.,a full three hours after classes end.
Guidelines vs. Reality: What is Acceptable Travel Time?
According to guidelines from Udir, the Directorate for Education and Skills, student travel time should be limited to maximize free time and time at home, while acknowledging the need for efficient organization. Ruter, the Akershus County Municipality’s transportation authority, initially stated that travel time for students in grades 4-6 should be limited to 60 minutes each way, though these guidelines are not legally binding.
Steinseth attempted to find alternative solutions, even agreeing to have his children take a regular bus, which would mean missing a portion of their school day. He repeatedly contacted Ruter to address the issues, but his concerns were initially met with inaction. “I didn’t expect that it would take three months to get things changed when it doesn’t work as it should,” he said.
He formally complained, stating that the delays created an unstable and frightening situation for his children, negatively impacting their school life. “Both children express fear and uncertainty about the journey home,” the complaint read.
A Resolution, and Then More Waiting
In October, Ruter agreed to provide door-to-door taxi service for the children. However, nearly three weeks passed without any change in their transportation. “I check the app every day,and just hope that it will change,” Steinseth admitted.
The situation took a toll on the family, forcing them to cancel extracurricular activities and impacting the children’s willingness to spend time with their father due to the unreliable commute. Steinseth, who receives disability benefits, emphasized that the move to Roa was financially necessary to provide a better living situation for his family.
Ruter Responds, Changes Implemented – Eventually
When contacted by VG, Ruter acknowledged the issues with the original transportation plan. Øystein Dahls Johansen, a press officer for Ruter, stated, “We have investigated the matter, and it is true that the shuttle with the corresponding train has worked poorly.” He confirmed that door-to-door taxi transport was approved in early October but admitted the change was not implemented promptly.
Ruter explained that inquiries submitted in writing are prioritized, and steinseth’s previous attempts to contact them were not formally documented.They apologized for the delay and confirmed that the taxi service would be operational the following morning.
On the day following Ruter’s commitment, the changes were reflected in the Skoleskyss app. While the taxi to school functioned as expected,the return trip still involved a 45-minute wait. Despite this lingering issue, Steinseth expressed cautious optimism. “But I feel that I have lost my faith,” he conceded.
The head of school in Nittedal municipality, Line Tyrdal, deferred questions about the matter to Ruter.This case highlights the critical need for efficient interaction and swift action from transportation authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of students relying on public transport.
