Policy of the Socialist Party on transport matters

The policy of the Socialist Party of Iceland on transport matters is ...

... that transport infrastructure and their operation be owned by the nation.
... that tunnels, bridges, and roads be accessible to all free of charge, and road tolls be completely rejected.
... that sufficient funding be ensured for the maintenance and operation of transport infrastructure and the road network.
... that systematic work be done towards environmentally friendly solutions in transport matters, such as with increased use of electric vehicles, buses/Borgarlína, and to encourage car-sharing.
... that innovation in the design of new vehicles be strengthened.
... that infrastructure be built up for diverse transport throughout the country, where connections between places by land, air, and sea are ensured.
... that civil protection be prioritized throughout the country and escape routes ensured if natural disasters are imminent.
... that airports and harbors be in national ownership and operated by the public sector.
... that transport services for disabled people be a self-evident human right and always operated according to law, that it be free of charge and made more accessible.
... that ambulance services, transport services for disabled people, and other self-evident transport services be in public ownership, not privately operated or outsourced.
... that buses/Borgarlína be free of charge.
... that public transport be strengthened within the capital area by better serving suburbs and being more accessible to all groups.
... that the wages and working environment of public transport employees be improved.
... that services for people in their local environment be improved so that long driving distances can be reduced, especially in rural areas.
... that the public can participate in the development of transport in their local environment and propose solutions for better neighborhoods in cooperation with authorities.
... that the Internet be part of transport matters and telecommunications infrastructure be in public ownership.
... that coastal shipping be strengthened and that heavy transport go by sea where possible and harbors be electrified, while daily necessities go by land.

Further reading:

Transport is a basic service that everyone should have good access to, whether geographically or economically, so people can get around within the country, within cities, towns, and in rural areas.

The Socialist Party of Iceland wants all major transport infrastructure in the country to be owned by the nation, not privately operated or their operation outsourced. Thus, road construction as such shall be publicly owned, and the funding of roads and all transport infrastructure always be in order. It shall then be ensured that taxes earmarked for road construction go to that sector, and no road tolls or other charges be imposed on tunnels or bridges.

The transport system shall be built up with the transport safety of all as a guiding principle, whether with bicycle paths, pedestrian paths, or dedicated lanes for buses and other special traffic within cities, towns, or between places in rural areas. Furthermore, civil protection throughout the country shall be considered, and everyone given the option of free safety equipment such as reflectors or bands.

Furthermore, different modes of transport shall not be set up as opposing poles, but people shall have the freedom to choose their mode of transport within the limits set by society regarding environmental protection and climate issues. Systematic efforts shall be made towards environmentally friendly solutions, as outlined in the socialist policy on environmental and climate issues, but efforts shall also be made to equalize people's conditions regarding transport with regard to residence and/or possibilities to use environmentally friendly modes of transport.

The operation of airports, harbors, and other transport infrastructure shall be redefined, and the privatization and outsourcing that has occurred reversed. Furthermore, people's transport options shall be increased, but people shall also be ensured better services in their local environment, especially in rural areas.

Buses/Borgarlína and other self-evident transport services, such as ambulances and transport services for disabled people, shall be entirely free of charge, and such transport shall not be privatized or outsourced in any way, but kept in public ownership and the service improved in cooperation with its users.

Furthermore, all transport matters shall be examined with public interest as a guiding principle, and residents given the opportunity to participate in shaping the environment they live in, whether in cities, towns, or rural areas. This way, better transport can be built up in a democratic manner.

The Internet shall be part of transport matters and telecommunications infrastructure be in public ownership, as this will prevent waste and poorer service that comes with many companies building parallel systems.

Approved at a party meeting on January 18, 2020