How public transport is organised

Skyss plans and finances bus lines in Vestland and is also responsible for ticketing systems, marketing, travel information and customer service. However, Skyss is not responsible for commercial bus services, such as the airport express bus (Flybussen) or the NOR-WAY express bus.

The operation of bus services is subject to competitive tendering. Commercial transport companies compete for contracts to operate services in different regions. Skyss plans bus lines, defines the requirements for the tenders, awards contracts and monitors the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the buses, employ drivers and are responsible for coordinating schedules and shifts.

Vestland county is divided into 11 bus service areas. Below are the current contracts and transport companies (in brackets: contract period plus the number of years Skyss may opt to extend the contract):

• Bergen south  (incl. Os, and from 01.01.2020 incl. Austevoll): Tide Buss AS (16.08.2019–25.06.2028 + 1 + 1 year)
• Bergen center: Tide Buss & Bane AS (01.12.2020–30.06.2030 + 1 + 1 year)
• Bergen north (incl. Osterøy and the servicelines in Bergen): Tide Buss AS (01.10.2020–30.06.2030 + 1 + 1 year)
• Vest (Øygarden/Askøy): Tide Buss AS (25.06.2019–25.06.2028 + 1 + 1 år)
• Sunnhordland: Tide Buss AS (02.07.2017–28.06.2026)
• Hardanger/Voss: Tide Buss AS (16.08.2016–22.06.2025)
• Modalen/Vaksdal: Modalen-Eksingedalen Billag AS (16.08.2016–22.06.2025)
• Nordhordland: Vy Buss AS (16.08.2018–15.08.2027)
• Sunnfjord: Firda Billag AS (20.06.2016–23.06.2026)
• Nordfjord: Firda Billag AS (23.06.2014–19.06.2025)
• Sogn: Tide Buss AS (19.06.2017–22.06.2026)

Skyss plans and announces new tenders well in advance of contract expiry.

Several stakeholders share responsibility for the Bergen Light Rail.

Skyss is responsible for planning services, tickets and fares, ticketing systems, marketing and customer service.

Bybanen AS is responsible for the management, operation and maintenance of infrastructure and vehicles, as well as for the technical operation of information displays and real-time information inside the carriages and at stops. Bybanen AS is wholly owned by the Vestland County Authority. Competitive tendering is used for contracts to operate the Bergen Light Rail, and Bybanen AS handles tender competitions and contract follow-up.

Tide Buss og Bane AS is the current operating company, under a contract effective as of 01/07/2019. Tide Buss og Bane AS employs operators and staffs the operations central.

Bybanen Utbygging is a unit under Vestland County Authority responsible for the planning and construction of new stages of the Bergen Light Rail.

The City of Bergen has planning authority and prepares zoning plans for all future stages of the Bergen Light Rail.

The Bergen Light Rail is a part of the Miljøløftet initiative. 

Skyss manages public passenger boat services in Vestland. Competitive tendering is used, and commercial transport companies compete for operating contracts. Individual contracts often cover more than one route.

Skyss is responsible for planning boat services and timetables, defining the requirements in the tendering process, awarding contracts and monitoring the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the vessels and employ the crews on board.

Skyss manages a wide range of boat service contracts in Vestland. Some of these are so-called gross contracts, where Skyss bears the revenue risk and is responsible for travel information, marketing and ticketing systems. Others are net contracts, under which the operating company bears the revenue risk and is responsible for travel information, marketing and ticketing.

Below is an overview of all boat routes (in brackets: contract period plus the number of years Skyss may opt to extend the contract).

Boat services under gross contracts:

• Sunnhordland and Austevoll: Norled AS (01.01.2014 – 31.12.2027)
  • Sunnhordland–Austevoll–Bergen
  • Local boat route Austevoll
• City boat routes in Bergen: Fjord1 AS (20.01.2025 - 15.01.2040)
  
  • Knarvik–Frekhaug–Bergen
  • Kleppestø–Bergen
• Local boat routes Gulen and Solund: Vidar Hop Skyssbåtar AS (01.05.2022 – 24.06.2029 + 1+1 year)
  • Gulen–Ytre Solund
  • Hardbakke–Nåra–Mjømna
  • Hardbakke–Kolgrov–Utvær
  • Gåsvær–Midtre Solund–Hardbakke
  • Nord-Solund
• Kystvegekspressen (Florø–Smørhamn–Måløy–Selje): Norled AS (01.05.2024 – 30.04.2026 + up to 3 years)
• Local boat routes in Nordfjord, Sunnfjord and Sognefjorden: Norled AS (01.05.2024 – 30.04.2036 + up to 2 years) 
  
  • Florø–Veiesund–Stavang–Askrova–Svanøy (Florabassenget south)
  • Florø–Barekstad–Batalden–Fanøy–Rognaldsvåg–Kinn (Florabassenget north and west)
  • Måløy–Silda
  • Måløy–Gangsøy–Risøy
  • Vik–Ortnevik
  • Ortnevik–Måren–Nordeide
  • Kaupanger kai–Frønningen

Boat services under net contracts:

• Express boat Sogn og Fjordane: Norled AS (01.05.2022 – 30.11.2026)
  • Nordfjord–Bergen
  • Sogn–Bergen
  • Summer route Bergen–Flåm
• L. Rødne & Sønner AS (01.01.2014–31.12.2027)
  • Rosendal–Bergen
  • Reksteren–Våge–Os
• GulenSkyss AS (01.01.2014–31.12.2027)
  • Espevær–Eidesvik
  • Hellesøy–Hernar
• Hardanger tourist route (Norheimsund–Eidfjord): Norled AS (01.05.2020 – 30.09.2026)
• Geitanger–Knappskog: Geitanger Transport AS (01.07.2019 – 01.07.2026)
• Local boat route in Osterfjorden: Osterøy Ferjeselskap AS (01.08.2019 – 31.07.2026)

Skyss plans and announces new tenders well in advance of contract expiry. 

Skyss is responsible for planning and financing ferry services on county roads in Vestland. Competitive tendering is used for ferry operation. Commercial transport companies compete for ferry connection contracts, and each contract often covers more than one connection. Skyss plans ferry services and timetables, defines the conditions for the competitive tendering, awards contracts and monitors the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the vessels and employ the crews on board.

Many of the ferries in Vestland County are electric. 

Ferry services on the county road network in Vestland include a total of 25 ferry connections. Below is an overview of contracts, transport companies and connections (contract periods in brackets):

Fjord1 AS (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2029):

• Krokeide–Hufthamar (start 01.01.2018)
• Husavik–Sandvikvåg (start 01.01.2018)
• Leirvåg–Sløvåg
• Fedje–Sævrøy
• Hatvik–Venjaneset
• Halhjem–Våge
• Langevåg–Buavåg
  
  

Fjord1 AS (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2028 + 1):

• Skjersholmane–Ranavik
• Jektevik–Nordhuglo–Hodnanes
• Gjermundshavn–Varaldsøy–Årsnes
• Jondal–Tørvikbygd
  
  

Norled AS (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2028 + 1):

• Klokkarvik–Lerøy–Bjelkarøy–Hjellestad
• Fjelberg–Sydnes–Utbjoa–Borgundøy
  
  

Wergeland AS (01.01.2019 – 31.12.2028 + 1):

• Masfjordnes–Duesund

Boreal Sjø AS (01.01.2020 – 31.12.2028 + 1 ):

• Kvanndal–Utne
• Kinsarvik–Utne
• Skånevik–Matre–Utåker
  
  

Osterøy Ferjeselskap AS (01.01.2025 –  28.11.2027)

• Breistein–Valestrand 

Fjord1 AS (end 31.12.2026):

• Måløy–Oldeide–Husevågøy (start 01.01.2017)
• Isane–Stårheim (start 01.01.2017)
• Askvoll–Gjervik–Fure–Værlandet (start 01.01.2016)
• Rysjedalsvika–Rutledal–Krakhella–Losna (start 01.01.2018)

Norled AS (01.05.2024–30.04.2036 + up to 2 years)
(part of a contract with several boat routes):

• Kaupanger kai–Frønningen

Wergeland AS (01.09.2013–31.12.2026):

• Mjånes–Hisarøy

GulenSkyss AS (01.01.2020–31.12.2026):

• Daløy–Haldorsneset

Vidar Hop Skyssbåtar AS (01.06.2019–31.05.2029 + up to 2 years):

• Barmen–Barmsund

Skyss plans and announces new tenders well in advance of contract expiry.

Ferry services in Vestland administered by others:

• Solvorn–Ornes is administered by Luster municipality
• Ferry services on national roads are managed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (vegvesen.no):
  • Halhjem–Sandvikvåg
  • Lavik–Oppedal
  • Lote–Anda
  • Fodnes–Mannheller
  • Vangsnes–Hella–Dragsvik