Residents of Stranda frustrated over high travel costs amid disruptions in Geiranger

Residents of Stranda are expressing frustration over recent travel costs to leave the village, as local mayor Einar Arve Nordang notes. With tourists willing to pay more, locals find the fares exorbitant, especially in light of recent disruptions.

A recent landslide in Geiranger trapped a vehicle with four individuals, who fortunately escaped unharmed. However, the road connecting Geiranger and Grande was closed for several days, limiting travel options. When County Road 63 is inaccessible due to winter conditions, the ferry becomes the only route. Unlike regular ferries, which receive government support, this ferry service caters primarily to tourists, resulting in steep prices during these closures.

Traveling by ferry was costly during the closure; a round trip for an individual with a vehicle cost 870 NOK, while a car with a driver and one passenger totaled 1595 NOK. Locals were upset about the lack of reasonable alternatives in such situations. Resident Geir Gjørva stated it felt unfair for the local community to bear the burden of high prices when road access was blocked, emphasizing the need for better pricing agreements and contingency plans when essential routes are compromised.

He highlighted the village’s dependence on a single access point throughout winter and called for more robust solutions, arguing that clear protocols should be established for similar future emergencies.

With the tourist ferry expected to halt operations during the Christmas break for a month, Mayor Nordang is committed to working with the county government to ensure alternate transport solutions are in place. Meanwhile, the County Mayor of Møre and Romsdal maintains that compensation for excess ferry costs is not the county’s responsibility, attributing that obligation to the local municipality.