The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has approved a scheme that will compensate undertakings offering commercial, year round, long-distance bus and boat services for losses incurred on specific bus and boat routes due to the COVID-19 outbreak, ESA said in its release.
Bus and boat service providers have suffered a decline in demand as a consequence of travel restrictions that were put in place in order to curb the outbreak of COVID-19. To ensure safety, Norway also imposed infection control measures onboard buses and passenger boats.
The scheme will compensate for losses in turnover caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The support will take the form of direct grants.
The aim is to ensure the continuity of commercially operated, year round, long-distance bus and passenger boat routes.
The scheme has a total budget of NOK 100 million.