EXPENSIVE: Jonas Ali Ghanizadeh was surprised when he saw the price of the ticket he had booked. Photo: Naina Helén Jåma / VG
High train prices and a poor krone exchange rate meant that Jonas Ali Ghanizadeh changed his summer holiday plans. Now Portugal has been replaced by Northern Sweden.
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According to one recent report from Greenpeaceit is on average twice as expensive to choose rails in front of wings in Europe.
– We had big ambitions for a train holiday to Portugal. But when I looked at the tickets, I realized it didn’t work, says train enthusiast and MDG politician in Trondheim, Jonas Ali Ghanizadeh.
He often travels on long train journeys through Europe, and tries as far as possible to avoid flying in order to travel climate-friendly.
TRAIN TOURIST: Jonas Ali Ghanizadeh says that the holiday to Portugal has been replaced by a holiday to the North Calotte. Photo: Private
However, high train prices mean that he and his wife will have to change their holiday plans this year.
– The high prices and poor krone exchange rate made us drop the trip. Now the holiday goes to better-known regions in northern Norway and northern Sweden.
He says that he checked the prices in April when he was planning his holiday. He does not remember exactly how much the train holiday would have cost, but states that it would have been several thousand kroner more expensive per person.
– Also with public transport, he adds.
Info
Report shows trains are more expensive in 5 out of 7 cases
In report from Greenpeace shows that it is difficult to take a train out of Norway. On five out of seven routes it was cheaper to fly.
The organization has tested various dates and sees that the prices may vary.
In Norway, you can only take a train to Sweden – there you may have to change to a new destination.
Oslo–Stockholm: On average, the train was 110 per cent more expensive than the plane ticket. Oslo–Bodø: The price is about the same, around 3 percent more expensive to take the train than to fly. Copenhagen–Oslo: On average, the train was 16 percent more expensive than the plane. Bergen – Stockholm: The train costs on average 1.7 times as much as the plane. Stockholm – Narvik: The train is always cheaper than the plane. Oslo-Trondheim: The train is always cheaper than the plane. view more
Train enthusiast Ghanizadeh believes that trains must become more competitive in order to be a real alternative to the aviation industry.
– If we are really going to get people to switch from planes to trains, then I think a lot is about making travel more accessible to people. In addition, the infrastructure must be built up. In Spain they have between three and four train companies competing on the same lines.
– The consequences are that people are forced to fly, even though they might want to travel more climate-friendly, says expert advisor at Greenpeace Norway, Halvard Raavand to VG.
EXPENSIVE: Train prices in Europe can be up to 30 times more expensive than flights on certain routes, Greenpeace states in a report. Photo: Frank Augstein / AP / NTB
How do the high train fares affect Norwegians who want to make climate-friendly choices in their everyday lives?
Climate researcher Borgar Aamaas at CICERO tells VG that it is “natural” that trains are a less attractive alternative than flying.
– It is more expensive, takes longer and is more difficult to order. There is much that could be improved, but price is important.
He continues:
– You can compare this to electric cars versus cars. The electric car is now a cheaper and often as simple alternative as the car. We cannot say the same about trains as an alternative, versus flying.
– How should holidaying Norwegians make climate-friendly choices when trains are significantly more expensive than flights?
– A short-distance holiday can be something to recommend, then bus and train can be good alternatives. And there is a lot of good information out there about longer train journeys in Europe.
TRAIN HOLIDAY?: The question is whether Norwegians will be enticed on a train holiday this summer with high prices. Photo: Frank Augstein / AP / NTB
High train prices also apply to the highest degree in this country: Trains are 35 per cent more expensive than flights in Norway, writes the environmental organization in the report.
They have analyzed certain routes on different days.
– I myself know several people who cannot afford to take the train, because it costs more money, says expert adviser in Greenpeace Norway, Halvard Raavand.
He believes that the current train offer is not attractive enough, and that a so-called “climate ticket climate ticket Climate tickets are cheap season tickets for public transport, valid on all forms of public transport in a country or a specific region.” could make it easier for people to choose other travel options.
WANTS BETTER OFFERS: Specialist adviser in Greenpeace Norway, Halvard Raavand, believes that there should be arrangements for a better train offer in the country. Photo: Greenpeace / Johanna Hanno
– If we are to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector, we must move more passengers from planes to trains. Trains must become more competitive; more departures, the journey time must be reduced and arrangements must be made for more sleeping compartments.
– Here you have to use both whips and carrots. The train service should be better and cheaper, and air fares should be higher.
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Published: 21.07.23 at 07:51
Updated: 21.07.23 at 08:03
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2023-07-21 05:51:59
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