# Ruter’s latest service is growing fast: Hannah challenged the private car

> What's the fastest way to get through Oslo? Mirela got behind the wheel, while Hannah booked a ride with Hent. Then the race was on. 

The route is set in advance: they are going from Årvoll to Kampen Church. From harness racing to football. And from a suburban housing estate to an inner-city neighbourhood.

Hannah pulls out her phone and taps the Ruter app. A new icon has appeared in the app because the on-demand service Hent has expanded its service area. Now she’s going to test it in a race against her friend Mirela.

“Hanna has to wait to be picked up, while I can just run over to the car and drive off. That’s a definite advantage,” says Mirela seconds before the starting gun goes off.

Mirela’s body language makes it clear that she thinks the outcome is a foregone conclusion, but Hannah isn’t particularly fazed. She knows that the on-demand service Hent is popular, and usage is growing every year. Since its launch in 2024, Hent has also expanded its service to cover more areas of Oslo, including Årvoll, where the race begins. And 2026 has already seen a record number of trips.

“By the way, shall I get you a coffee when I arrive? With or without milk?” Mirela asks confidently.

Enough verbal sparring.

**3-2-1. Go!**

Mirela hurries up a slope toward where the car is parked. Hannah takes it a little easier because Hent doesn't necessarily use regular bus stops, but can pick you up at a virtual stop near your location.

For Hannah, it takes about two minutes before the red car arrives.

“I must say, a warm car and a friendly driver. This is going to be a lovely trip,” she says.

While Hannah fastens her seat belt, Mirela is already well on her way as she approaches Sinsen.

“Sinsenkrysset—everyone has heard of it. That’s where the traffic jams are,” says Mirela.

“And right next to me is a bus lane. It’s empty! But of course I’m not allowed to drive in it,” she adds, gently banging her head against the steering wheel to show her frustration.

Image: Mirela skuffet

Just behind them, Hannah and the Hent vehicle have got moving and are rolling smoothly into the Sinsen junction. There, they pass Mirela and all the other cars inching their way through one of Oslo’s busiest roundabouts.

“I’m pretty sure I saw Mirela there,” someone says from the back seat of the Hent car.

As the Hent vehicle glides past and takes the lead in the competition, we can share the results of a recent Ipsos survey showing that nine out of ten people who already use Hent are satisfied, and roughly as many say they are likely to recommend the service to others. Among those who have not tried the service, a lack of knowledge about how Hent works is one of the biggest barriers.

In practice, it’s quite simple. You search for your journey in the Ruter app, and if Hent operates in the area, it will appear among the suggested travel options. The app shows where and when you’ll be picked up, as Hannah demonstrated a short while ago.

## Was surprised along the way

But then the journey suddenly takes an unexpected turn. The driver turns off onto a road Hannah hadn't expected to take.

“That’s when I started feeling a little stressed,” she admits.

The explanation, however, is simple and easy to understand. Another passenger is heading in the same direction as Hannah and is therefore picked up along the way. Hent does not follow a fixed bus route, so more passengers can be picked up en route.

The potential holdup was a man named Steinar. He hops into the car, and it turns out he is one of Hent’s more experienced users.

Image: Steinar og Hannah i Hent

“A really great guy. A good travel companion,” says Hannah.

Although she initially feared losing the lead, spirits are high in the car. They continue their journey towards Kampen, while Mirela has managed to get out of traffic and is leading the way to Kampen.

She's nearing the finish line and things look very promising, but one important detail remains. 

## Drove four laps around Kampen Church

“Honestly, parking... I really wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” says Mirela, who has reached the area around Kampen Church but can’t find anywhere to park her car.

She drives around the church once, then makes another lap, but with no luck. Maybe a side street will be her saving grace?

After circling the area four times, she finally finds an available parking spot near “the yellow house” in Kampen.

“I can park here. Let me just quickly pull up the app and enter the license plate number,” she says.

The car is parked, and Mirela can see her destination up ahead. As she takes her first step, she catches sight of the red car out of the corner of her eye.

– No, no, no!

Image: Hent forbikjøring

Hannah and Steinar have made it to Kampen and are now side by side with Mirela, who is racing against Hent.

“I’m sprinting for dear life. It really is human versus machine,” says Mirela, while Hanna laughs from inside and they both realize where this is heading.

Image: Hent forbikjøring 2

Hannah is standing on the church steps when Mirela comes running up. It was a close race.

“Maybe I could catch a ride with you next time, then?” she says breathlessly.

“Yes, we can pick you up on the way,” Hannah replies.

Image: Hent fotofinish

So this time Hent arrived first, but on the next trip things could turn out completely differently, and that is part of the point.

Hent complements the rest of the public transport network, particularly for trips that may not cover a great distance but still involve several transfers or lack a good direct connection.

Sometimes the metro will still be the easiest way to get from Tøyen to Jernbanetorget. Other times, the bus is the fastest and the tram the most efficient.

And sometimes the most convenient option is to have a red Ruter car pick you up from an invisible stop.

[Would you like to read more about Hent?](https://ruter.no/en/more-transport-services/hent-public-transport-on-demand)

Image: Hannah og Hent

**Fact box:**

- Hent is available within a designated area of Oslo: from Korsvoll and Tåsen to Rødtvet and Alna, and from Kjelsås to Kværnerbyen. Your journey must start and end within this area for you to book and use Hent.
- You can book Hent on weekdays from 3–10 pm and on weekends and public holidays from 10 am–8 pm.

### All you need to book a trip with Hent is the Ruter app.

### Follow these steps:

1. Search for your destination in the journey planner.
2. The option to book a pickup appears at the top of the suggested journeys if your journey starts and ends within the area where Hent is available. 
3. The first time you use the service, you’ll be guided through a simple, step-by-step introduction to Hent.
4. Select the number of passengers. The fare is NOK 55 for adults and NOK 27 for children (over 135 cm tall), young people, and passengers eligible for concession fares. Each vehicle currently has room for four passengers plus one wheelchair.
5. You’ll see a suggested journey with a pickup time and estimated arrival time, and then book your trip.
6. The app guides you to the pickup point. This is not a physical stop, but a virtual stop close to your location. The pickup point is never more than 600 meters away.
7. A red car with the Ruter logo will pick you up. If others have booked a trip in the same direction, the car may pick up more passengers along the way—but you’ll still arrive at the estimated time. The car will drop you off at the nearest virtual stop, close to your destination.

---
Last updated: 2026-11-03
Source: https://ruter.no/en/more-transport-services/hent-public-transport-on-demand/hvem-vinner