The weather gods provided quite the test with heavy winter weather, but about a week after the start, FRAM and Vy Buss can confirm that the electric buses have handled the winter weather well. On Monday, 6 January, there was a ceremony to mark the start of the new contract in Krohnsvingen in Molde.
Happy to Get Started
Regional director at Vy Buss, Heidi Renolen, and department manager at FRAM, Stig Helle-Tautra, are both pleased to have started the new bus contract in Molde and Gjemnes.Stig Helle-Tautra, department manager at FRAM in Møre og Romsdal county authority, is very satisfied with the new buses so far.
"It is always exciting when a new contract with new buses starts," he says.
"Vy Buss has done a good job, and the start-up has been well executed. Now we are very happy that FRAM has also got emission-free buses in place in Molde and Gjemnes."
Heidi Renolen, regional director at Vy Buss, is also happy to get started.
"Many skilled people have been working hard to get everything ready for the start. It is very exciting to be able to offer a bus service with brand new electric buses, which we believe passengers will enjoy traveling with," she says.
Comfort and Safety
FRAM manager Stig Helle-Tautra also believes that passengers will be satisfied with the new buses.
"They represent an upgrade, both in terms of comfort and safety. Many will probably appreciate that the new buses have outlets for charging mobile phones," he says.
All seats in the new buses have seat belts, even in city buses. Additionally, there is a defibrillator on board all buses.
"We are especially happy about this. When each bus is equipped with a defibrillator, it significantly increases the availability of such equipment around," says Helle-Tautra.
Route Changes
The new contract also involves some route changes. Among other things, the new hospital in Hjelset is prioritized to ensure a public transport service for employees, patients, and visitors.
Bus line 701 in Molde has increased frequency, with departures every 15 minutes during rush hour.
FRAM encourages all travelers to check their bus line for changes in the travel planner on frammr.no, in the FRAM app, or in the Entur app.
FRAM and Vy Buss marked the start of the new bus contract on Monday, 6 January. From left to right: Harald Harstad, manager for FRAM operations, Jesper Wiig, director of transport and infrastructure in Møre og Romsdal county authority, Frode Westad, department manager at Vy Buss Molde, Malene Hammerstrøm, contract adviser at FRAM operations, Heidi Renolen, regional director at Vy Buss, Tore Larsen, area manager at Vy Buss, Stig Helle-Tautra, department manager at FRAM, and Ole Engebret Haugen, executive vice president at Vy Bus.