Zone-free monthly pass affects school transport for upper secondary school
Who is responsible for school transport?
Ruter coordinates free school transport in Akershus, while in Oslo it is the Oslo municipality that is responsible.
The reason for the change in the school transport service for upper secondary school is that the County Council in Akershus has adopted a new regulation for the 2026/2027 school year.
The regulation means that many upper secondary school students in Akershus will move from the current scheme of free school transport to an all-zone monthly pass (30-day ticket) for children and young people. This means that the students must buy the ticket themselves, which can be used for both school and leisure.
However, there are exceptions for pupils who are still granted free school transport. This applies to:
- Pupils who live more than 6 kilometers from the school and have more than 3 kilometers to walk to the nearest stop with regular departures (at least once an hour).
- Students with disabilities, injury, or illness.
About the new monthly pass for children and young people
How much does it cost?
From May 3, the price will be 238 kroner per month – a reduction of 100 kroner after a government subsidy.
Who can buy it?
The age groups are children (6–17 years) and youth (18–19 years), as well as students in adult education (20–25) with a valid student ID.
Where can I buy the ticket?
The ticket is purchased in the Ruter app, the Vy app, the EnTur app, or on a travel card at Ruter sales outlets. You can find them by checking the box for sales outlets in the journey planner.
What does zone-free mean?
The ticket is zone-free from 1 August. This means that from this date you can travel anywhere in all of Akershus and Oslo with the ticket.
Where can I use it?
The ticket is valid for buses, Vy trains, boats, the metro and trams within Ruter’s area.
When can I use the ticket?
The ticket can be used at any time of day, every day – including weekends and holidays.
Do I need a school ticket if I buy the monthly pass?
No. You only need to buy the monthly pass. You can use it both on the school bus and on other public transport between home and school. You can also use the monthly pass after school hours. It gives you more freedom than a school ticket.
Can I use the monthly pass in my free time?
Yes. You can travel around the clock, every day – including weekends and holidays.
How long is the monthly pass valid?
The monthly pass is valid for 30 days from the time you activate it.
How upper secondary school students are affected by the regulation:
1st or 2nd grade in the 2026/2027 school year:
If you are a student in 1st or 2nd grade of upper secondary school, between 15 and 19 years old, and want to travel to school by public transport, you must buy the new, zone-free 30-day ticket for children and young people.
3rd year of upper secondary school, school year 2026/2027:
If you are starting your third year of upper secondary school and already use school transport, you have already received a transport decision that applies for your entire school course. This means you will keep your current arrangement with free school transport.
You must still remember to apply for school transport before the school year starts, so that you receive your school ticket from autumn 2026.
Do you want to travel without zones in Akershus and Oslo in the evenings and on weekends? The new zone-free monthly pass can be used in your free time and may therefore be more practical than the school ticket from Ruter.
Upper secondary students between 20 and 25 years old:
From 1 August 2026, you can buy a zone-free monthly pass, but you must show a valid upper secondary school ID during ticket inspection.
You cannot buy other ticket types for youths. If you want to buy a single ticket or other types of tickets, you must buy an adult ticket.
About free school transport
How do I know if I am entitled to free school transport?
Whether you are entitled to free school transport depends on the regulations, criteria, and your situation.
You may be entitled to free school transport if you live more than 6 kilometers from the school and the public transport where you live is not well developed.
Public transport is considered well developed when all of these criteria are met:
- There are regular departures (at least once an hour) in the afternoon and evening on weekdays.
- There is public transport on Sundays.
- There is public transport on Saturdays until at least 10:00 p.m.
- It is less than 3 kilometers to walk from home to a stop with many departures.
If all the criteria are met, the monthly pass scheme for children and young people applies.
If you answered “no” to one or more of these criteria and live more than 6 kilometers from the school, you can apply for free school transport or a transport allowance.
Even if you live just under 6 kilometers from the school, Ruter may in some cases still grant free school transport. We make an overall assessment in each case.
What about students with disabilities or illness?
Pupils with disabilities, injuries or illnesses can still receive free school transport. You will keep the same service as before. The school will apply for special transport (minibus or taxi) for you, just as it does today.
How do I apply for free school transport?
If you are a student in upper secondary school, you apply for a school ticket when the application portal opens in August. If you need special transport, the school must apply on your behalf. Contact your school for guidance.
If you have good public transport where you live and the distance between your home and school is less than 6 kilometers, you should not apply to Ruter for a school ticket. In that case, you buy a monthly pass.
What if I live far away, but have a bus stop near my home?That depends on how often the bus runs. Look at the four criteria. If all of them are met, the service is considered well developed. See the question: “How do I know if I am entitled to free school transport?”
When will I get an answer to my application?Ruter assesses each application individually and processes them in the order in which we receive them. We will send you a written decision (the response letter) by post or to Digipost (if you have it).
What if I live far away but have a bus stop near my home?
That depends on how often the bus runs. See the four criteria in the answer to find out whether you are entitled to free school transport. If all the criteria are met, the service is considered to be well developed.
When will I get a response to my application?
Ruter assesses each application individually and processes the applications in the order we receive them. We will send you a written decision (the reply letter) by post or to Digipost (if you have it).
About grade level and age
Do 3rd graders have to buy a new ticket?
No. If you start 3rd grade in the autumn of 2026 and have a valid decision granting school transport for your entire school period, you will keep the transport. However, you still need to apply for school transport before the school year starts.
I’m starting 1st grade – what do I do?
Buy the monthly pass in the Ruter app before school starts. If you live more than 6 kilometers from the school, have more than 3 kilometers to the nearest stop, and there is no departure at least once an hour, the public transport service is considered poorly developed. In that case, you can apply for free school transport.
I am 20 years old and attend upper secondary school. Which ticket applies?
You can buy a monthly pass for youth. Remember to show a valid student ID during inspections. Other youth tickets are not available for this age group.