This is how public transport is organized

Skyss plans and funds bus lines in Vestland and is also responsible for ticket systems, marketing, travel information and customer service. Skyss is not responsible for commercial bus services, such as the Airport Express or NOR-WAY Express Bus.

Competitive tendering is used for bus transport. Commercial transport companies bid on contracts for operating in the different service areas. Skyss plans bus lines, defines the conditions for the competitive tendering, awards contracts and follows up on the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the buses, employ drivers and coordinate the services in terms of timetables and shifts.

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

• Bergen south  (incl. Os ond from 01.01.2020 incl. Austevoll): Tide Buss AS (16.08.2019–25.06.2028 + 1 + 1 year)
• Bergen sentrum: Tide Buss & Bane AS (01.12.2020–30.06.2030 + 1 + 1 year)
• Bergen nord (incl. Osterøy og 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 (20.06.2016–23.06.2024 + until 2 year)
• Nordfjord: Firda Billag AS (23.06.2014–23.06.2024)
• Sogn: Tide Buss AS (19.06.2017–22.06.2025 + until 2 year)

Skyss plans and announces new tenders in good time before contracts expire.

Several entities share responsibility for the Bergen Light Rail.

Skyss is responsible for planning services, tickets and prices, ticket 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 screens 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 operating 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 development 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 boat connection contracts. Individual contracts often cover more than one connection.

Skyss plans boat services and timetables, defines the conditions for the competitive tendering, awards contracts and follows up on the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the vessels and employ the crew on board.

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

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

Boat connections under gross contracts:

• Sunnhordland and Austevoll: Norled AS (01.01.2014–31.12.2027):
  • Sunnhordland – Austevoll – Bergen
  • Boatroute Austevoll
• City boats in Bergen: Norled AS
  • Knarvik – Frekhaug – Bergen (01.01.2023–02.06.2024) (19.01.2025)
  • Kleppestø – Bergen (01.01.2023–02.06.2024) (19.01.2025)
• Localboat 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
• Localboat Flora, Bremanger and Vågsøy: Fjord1 AS (01.05.2012–31.10.2023 + 0,5 year)
  • Flora basin
  • Kystvegekspressen Måløy – Smørhamn – Florø
  • Måløy – Silda /Måløy – Hennøystranda
• Localboat Lærdal, Vik and Høyanger: Fjord1 AS (01.05.2012–31.10.2023 + 0,5 year)
  • Vik – Ortnevik
  • Ortnevik – Måren – Nordeide
  • Kaupanger kai - Frønningen (ferry)

Boatroutes with net contracts:

• Expressboat Sogn og Fjordane: Norled AS (01.05.2022–30.11.2024 + 2 year)
  • Nordfjord – Bergen
  • Sogn – Bergen
  • Summerroute 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
• Touristroute Hardanger: Norled AS (01.05.2020–31.10.2024 + 1+ 1 year)
• Geitanger – Knappskog: Geitanger Transport AS (01.07.2019–01.07.2024 + 1 + 1 year)
• Localboat in Osterfjorden: Osterøy Ferjeselskap AS (01.08.2019–31.07.2024 + 1 + 1 year)

Skyss plans and announces new tenders in good time before contracts expire.

Skyss plans and funds ferry transport for county roads in Vestland. Competitive tendering is used for ferry operation. Commercial transport companies compete for ferry connection contracts, and individual contracts often cover more than one connection. Skyss plans ferry services and timetables, defines the conditions for the competitive tendering, awards contracts and follows up on the quality of the services provided. The transport companies own and operate the vessels and employ the crew on board.

Many of the ferries in Vestland County are electric. Read more about electric ferries here: (Link to page “Miljøvennlig transport” (in Norwegian))

Ferry services in the county road network in Vestland includes a total of 25 ferry connections. Below is a list of contracts, transport companies and connecitons (contract periods in parentheses):

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 (1.1.2020–31.12.2028 +1 ):

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

Fjord1 AS (last until 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)

Fjord1 AS (01.05.2012- 31.10.2023 + 0,5) (part of a contract with several boatroutes):

• 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 24 months):

• Barmen – Barmsund

Skyss plans and announces new tenders in good time before contracts expire.

Ferry services in Vestland managed by others:

• Breistein – Valestrand: Private ferrycompany 
• Solvorn – Ornes: managed by Luster kommune
• Ferry services managed by Statens vegvesen:
  • Halhjem – Sandvikvåg
  • Lavik – Oppedal
  • Lote – Anda
  • Fodnes – Mannheller
  • Hella – Vangsnes
  • Dragsvik – Vangsnes
  • Hella – Dragsvik