Transport Regulations
Approved by the Ministry of Transport and Communications on 1 September 2015.
Chapt. 1 – Passengers
Section 1 To whom do the regulations apply
These transport regulations constitute a contract between Hordaland County Council, repr. by Skyss (hereinafter referred to as 'Skyss'), and each passenger. Everyone travelling on a bus, Bergen Light Rail and boat* that is operated under a contract with Skyss is deemed to be a passenger. The transport regulations also apply to everyone present at pertaining terminals, stops and quays.
*Applies to boat services for which Skyss is responsible. As of 1 January 2014, this applies to the Kleppestø-Strandkaien, Bergen-Knarvik, Austevoll and Sunnhordland services.
Section 2 Embarkation and disembarkation/at terminals/stops and quays
2a) For buses: Embarkation and disembarkation shall only take place at designated stops. If it is safe and in accordance with the road traffic regulations, buses may in exceptional circumstances also stop elsewhere than at designated stops.
2b) For Bergen Light Rail: Embarkation and disembarkation are not permitted while the light rail vehicle is moving or stops briefly between stops or at a passing loop, or is waiting for a signal or similar. Nor is it permitted to open the exit doors while the light rail vehicle is moving or when it stops between stops. It is prohibited to walk or loiter on the tracks and to cross the tracks in places not intended for the use of the general public. It is also prohibited to use a skateboard or roller skates at terminals/stops.
2c) For boats: Embarkation and disembarkation shall only take place at designated quays.
Chapt. 2 – Tickets and inspections
Section 3 Tickets
The right to travel is contingent on having a valid ticket and, if applicable, documentation that the passenger is entitled to a discount in accordance with the 'Regulations For Fares And Discount Schemes' in force at all times. These regulations are available from the website skyss.no and at Skyss customer service center. Passengers are required to buy a ticket before or upon embarkation, and they are responsible for having a valid ticket during the whole of their journey. It is the passenger's responsibility to have valid means of payment available when buying a ticket. Passengers must themselves check that they have received the correct ticket and change. Any complaints about tickets and change must be made immediately.
Passengers must carry their ticket and, if applicable, documentation that they are entitled to a discount, throughout their journey, and they must show it to the driver or inspector on request. Passengers' responsibility for being in possession of a valid ticket lapses if, for technical reasons, it is not possible to obtain a valid ticket. What constitutes a valid ticket and documentation that a passenger is entitled to a discount is described in the Regulations for Prices and Discount Schemes.
Section 4 Penalty charges and inspection of travel documents
Ticket inspectors (own personnel/drivers) are entitled to inspect tickets. The ticket inspection can be carried out by personnel in uniform or plain clothes. The inspectors shall present ID unsolicited.
Passengers who are unable to present a valid ticket during an inspection, and valid documentation if they are entitled to a discount, are obliged to pay a penalty charge. This also applies if the passenger wishes to terminate the journey. Minors who have reached the age of 15 can also be required to pay a penalty charge.
The penalty charge has been specially approved by the Ministry of Transport and Communications and can be paid on the spot or later using an invoice. If paid on the spot, the penalty charge is NOK 950. If the penalty charge is paid, the passenger is entitled to continue the journey on the same terms as for an ordinary single ticket.
Passengers on whom a penalty charge is imposed and who do not pay on the spot must state their correct name, address and date of birth and wait for this information to be verified, so that Skyss can collect the penalty charge by sending an invoice. If paid by invoice, the penalty charge is NOK 1,150. The charge is NOK 950 for children and young people under the age of 18, regardless of how it is paid. Passengers who do not pay the penalty charge on the spot are not entitled to continue their journey. A reminder will be sent if the invoice is not paid, and, if necessary, the debt will be collected. This also applies to minors over the age of 15, although they are not liable for debt collection costs in connection with debt collection. If an invoice is not paid, the parents or guardians will be informed of the matter.
Tickets that are misused or that a passenger attempts to misuse will be blocked and can be confiscated by the driver or inspector in return for a receipt. Attempts to forge tickets will result in a penalty charge of NOK 1,500, and the passenger can be reported to the police for document forgery. Passengers who refuse to pay the penalty charge can be reported to the police, cf. the General Civil Penal Code Section 403.
Section 5 Detaining passengers without a valid ticket and documentation that they are entitled to a discount.
Skyss's inspectors may detain passengers when the latter
- fail to produce a valid ticket or present valid documentation that they are entitled to a discount,
- do not pay the penalty charge on the spot, and
- do not state their correct name, address and date of birth.
Passengers can be detained until they provide their correct name, address and date of birth. They can also be detained while the information they provide is being verified. If the passenger nonetheless pays the penalty charge, he or she will no longer
be detained. Passengers shall not be detained if this would be unreasonable under the circumstances. Passengers under the age of 15 may only be detained in consultation with the police.
Chapt. 3 – Conduct
Section 6 Conduct
Passengers are obliged to show consideration for other passengers and to comply with normal safety rules. It is not permitted to disturb the driver. Seat belts and other safety equipment shall be used where provided.
Passengers must not obstruct the driver's view. On means of transport with automatic doors, passengers must not stand in such a manner that they prevent the doors from opening or closing.
All passengers must comply with any instructions given in posted notices or by the personnel/driver.
Section 7 Smoking and alcohol/drugs
Smoking and the consumption of alcoholic beverages or other intoxicants are prohibited on means of transport. Violation of this rule will result in expulsion from the means of transport.
Section 8 Disturbances
The driver or other personnel can refuse to admit passengers who are clearly under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who in some other manner behave in a way that inconveniences or causes discomfort to other passengers. Passengers who behave indecently or who in some other manner inconvenience other passengers can be expelled from means of transport or from terminals/stops/quays.
Section 9 Rules concerning passenger liability
Any damage caused by passengers to means of transport or fixtures and fittings shall be compensated pursuant to the general rules relating to compensation in damages.
Chapt. 4 – Luggage
Section 10 Hand luggage
Each passenger can bring along easily handled objects (hand luggage) free of charge provided that they do not take up space that could be used by other passengers. The luggage must be stowed so that it does not inconvenience other passengers or obstruct people getting on and off. Flammable and explosive substances and other luggage that either entails a safety risk or inconveniences other passengers cannot be brought along on the means of transport. Weapons may be brought along in accordance with the provisions of the Act relating to Firearms and Ammunition.
The Regulations for Prices and Discount Schemes stipulates what passengers must pay for.
Section 11 Prams/pushchairs and bicycles
Prams and pushchairs can be brought along provided that there is room for them, and they must be placed in the manner prescribed in signs, by the driver and other personnel. Prams and pushchairs must be secured or placed so that they cannot fall over.
Bicycles may only be brought on board if there is room for them and it is regarded as safe. Folding bicycles are deemed to be hand luggage. Under all circumstances, it is the driver/personnel who decides whether there is sufficient room.
Section 12 Animals
Personnel/drivers of means of transport are not obliged to admit live animals except guide dogs and police dogs. An animal can be brought along if there is room on the means of transport and the animal does not inconvenience the other passengers. Animals must be kept on a leash or in a cage/basket during the journey, and they must not obstruct free movement. Animals that are aggressive or cause discomfort to other passengers in some other way can be removed from the means of transport during a journey.
Section 13 Carriage of goods
The carriage of goods must be agreed separately with the operator of the means of transport.
Section 14 Liability and compensation for loss of or harm to luggage and/or persons
Passengers must ensure that skis, bicycles, animals, prams and pushchairs etc. are securely placed/stowed on board the means of transport.
Skyss and the carrier are not liable for the loss of or damage to prams and pushchairs
and objects brought along as hand luggage pursuant to Section 10, unless it can be proved that the personnel have been negligent. In other respects, the liability of Skyss and the carrier is regulated by the Automobile Liability Act of 3 February 1961 as regards bus travel, the Railway Liability Act of 10 June 1977 No 73 as regards travel on Bergen Light Rail and the Norwegian Maritime Code of 24 June 1994 No 39 as regards boat travel.
Section 15 Lost property
Items left behind on means of transport shall be handed in as soon as possible to personnel/the driver. Lost property is stored by the carrier or Skyss for three months. This does not apply to food products or similar, however. If the owner does not come forward within three months and can prove ownership, valuables are handed over to the police. Other items are either discarded or given away. Mobile phones, PCs and other items that can contain sensitive information are destroyed.
Chapt. 5 – Liability and compensation
Section 16 Skyss's liability in connection with delays and cancellations
As far as possible, Skyss shall endeavour to inform passengers about cancellations, delays and other disruptions to operations.
If a service is delayed or is cancelled or interrupted en route, the carrier shall, depending on the circumstances in each individual case, arrange for alternative transport within a reasonable space of time. What is deemed to be 'within a reasonable space of time' must be assessed in each case.
If Skyss is unable to offer alternative transport and/or if a passenger will be delayed by more than 20 minutes, Skyss will refund documented expenses in accordance with the rules and fares that apply at all times. Information about this is available at skyss.no, in brochures and from Skyss customer service center.
Skyss is not liable if the deviation has been announced in advance or if the reason for the delay/cancellation is outside Skyss's control.
Chapt. 6 – Complaints
Section 17 Complaints
Any complaints about Skyss, a carrier, personnel or the running of services must be addressed to Skyss. This also applies to complaints about the imposition of penalty charges and about tickets confiscated pursuant to Section 4.
Passengers can contact Skyss either using the contact form at skyss.no or by post to the address Postboks 7900, 5020 Bergen.