Bus passenger growth in Rogaland, Norway: An investigation into its causes

This report analyses drivers behind the significant growth in bus patronage in Rogaland County, Norway, from 2019 to 2024. Using elasticities, we calculate how various factors have influenced passenger trends. Increased population, higher employment, improved bus services, lower bus fares, and higher fuel prices have driven passenger growth, while real price reduction in road tolls and increased car ownership have had a dampening effect. The models best explain passenger trends in urban areas and areas with relatively high population density. In areas where public transport mainly consists of school transport and provides minimum mobility services, other factors influence bus demand. We find no long term demand effects of free public transport in Stavanger in the second half of 2023.