Transportation

Policy accepted January 18, 2020

That transport infrastructure and their operation be owned by the nation.

To ensure sufficient funding for the maintenance and operation of transport infrastructure and the road network.

To strengthen innovation in the development of new vehicles.

That civil protection is prioritized nationwide and escape routes are secured if natural disasters are imminent.

That tunnels, bridges, and roads are accessible to all without charge, and road tolls are completely rejected.

To systematically work towards environmentally friendly solutions in transportation, such as through increased use of electric vehicles, bus/city line, and by encouraging car sharing.

Building up infrastructure for diverse transportation nationwide, where connection between places on land, air, and sea is ensured.

That airports and ports are publicly owned and operated by the public sector.

That tourism for disabled people is a self-evident human right and always operated according to law, that it is free of charge and made more accessible.

That bus/city line will be free of charge.

That the wage terms and working environment of employees in public transport be improved.

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 coastal shipping be strengthened and that heavy transport goes by sea whenever possible and ports electrified, but daily necessities go by land.

That ambulance services, transport services for the disabled, and other essential transport services be publicly owned and not privately operated or outsourced.

To strengthen public transport within the capital area by better serving suburbs and being more accessible for all groups.

That services for people in their local environment are improved so that long driving distances can be reduced, especially in rural areas.

That the Internet is part of communications and transportation, and telecommunications infrastructure is publicly owned.

Additional content

Transportation is a basic service that everyone should have good access to, whether geographically or economically, so that 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 outsourced. Thus, road construction as such shall be publicly owned, and the funding of roads and all transport infrastructure shall always be secure. It shall then be ensured that taxes earmarked for road construction are allocated to that sector, and no tolls or other charges are imposed on tunnels or bridges.

The transport system shall be built with the safety of all as a guiding principle, whether with cycle 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 shall be offered free safety equipment such as reflectors or bands.

Furthermore, different modes of transport shall not be presented 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. The aim shall be to systematically pursue environmentally friendly solutions, as stated in the socialist policy on environmental and climate issues, but also to equalize people's conditions regarding transport, taking into account residence and/or possibilities to use environmentally friendly modes of transport.

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

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

Furthermore, all transport issues shall be examined with public interest as a guiding principle, and residents shall be 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 in a democratic manner.

The internet shall be part of transport issues, and telecommunications infrastructure shall be publicly owned, thereby preventing waste and poorer service that results from many companies building parallel systems.