– Brakar is more than just a public transportation company. We have a holistic approach to mobility, and carpooling to the new hospital will be an important aspect of what we define as sustainable travel,” says CEO Terje Sundfjord of Brakar.
He is supported by the County Councilor for Transport in Viken, Olav Skinnes:
– It is essential to test new mobility solutions like carpooling so that we can expand beyond traditional public transportation services. Combining carpooling with the existing public transport offering will provide greater flexibility for travelers and reduce pressure on the road system and parking spaces at the hospital,” he says.
Testing Before the New Hospital Opens
In a few years, employees at Drammen Hospital and a significant portion of the staff at Blakstad Hospital will move their workplace to Brakerøya. The purpose of the project is to test carpooling at Drammen Hospital before the new hospital opens in 2025, enabling Brakar and Vestre Viken HF to plan for a comprehensive mobility service to and from the new hospital.
– Brakar and Viken aim to provide integrated public transportation and mobility services on a single technical platform for employees and those traveling to and from the hospital. This requires collaboration with Vestre Viken HF,” says Sundfjord.
Environmentally Friendly Travel Is Crucial for the Hospital
For Vestre Viken, it is crucial to ensure that travel to the new hospital is as environmentally friendly as possible.
– Reducing employees’ use of cars to and from the new hospital is desirable, both to reduce the need for parking and to support increased use of sustainable mobility,” says Rune A. Abrahamsen, Project Director for the New Hospital at Vestre Viken.
– This is an excellent voluntary opportunity to test alternative ways of commuting to work and to see if the hospital can support carpooling and environmentally friendly commutes,” adds Mette Anita Hilden, Project Manager for the New Hospital at Drammen Hospital.
Free to use with Brakar season ticket
A bus service that serves the hospital with departures every 7.5 minutes is currently being planned. Brakar aims to allow travelers with a Brakar season ticket to use the carpooling service free of charge.
– We will also integrate train tickets, city bikes, electric scooters, and carpooling services into a single app, preferably with agreements and business models that make it easier for travelers to use these services interchangeably,” says Terje Sundfjord.
Collaboration with Nabogo
During the pilot project, Brakar will use the Nabogo app. Nabogo is a Danish company that has been collaborating with counties and public transport companies on carpooling since 2018. Their goal is to enhance public transportation through carpooling, especially in areas where mobility options are currently limited. Through their app, travelers can find drivers or passengers heading to and from the same location, facilitating shared rides. Drivers offering rides will receive compensation based on the number of kilometers driven.
Previous Carpooling Tests
Brakar previously conducted carpooling tests in Modum, Krødsherad, and Sigdal during the summer of 2019. The experiences from those trials were positive. Several carpooling projects were considered for further development until the COVID-19 pandemic unfortunately halted carpooling initiatives nationwide.
– We are delighted to pick up where we left off and test carpooling again with excellent partners, says Sundfjord.