Actions to improve public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport
A working group on public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport presented a report today. It proposes 15 actions to enhance public transportation on this route by 2030, based on a vision for public transport until 2040.
Actions include improving current public transport routes, enhancing accessibility for diverse groups, preparing future facilities for public transportation at Keflavík Airport, and preparing for energy transition.
Svandís Svavarsdóttir, Minister of Infrastructure: "It's crucial to strengthen public transportation nationwide to meet the needs of residents, businesses, and travelers. We must ensure robust and green public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport, connecting Iceland's largest international airport with the community. We need to implement actions that can improve service on this route immediately, while preparing and funding measures to enhance public transportation infrastructure. It's necessary to increase the visibility of public transportation at the airport, prepare for future public transportation facilities at Keflavík Airport, and connect well with public transportation stops in the capital area."
Svandís says the first step is to follow the group's recommendation to establish a new consultation forum of stakeholders to work on improving public transportation on this route. "We plan to go a step further and task such a consultation forum with improving public transportation nationwide," she says.
Proposed future vision
The working group believes it's important to support public transportation to reduce its carbon footprint and transportation in general for the future, and to accommodate increased numbers of tourists without negatively impacting transportation and the environment. The group proposes the following vision and guiding principles for public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport: "Operate robust and green public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport with the following guiding principles:"
- Vehicles run on green energy.
- Infrastructure at Keflavík Airport and in the capital area supports green public transportation.
- Frequent, smooth, and reliable trips - without delays or detours.
- Easy to travel with luggage, strollers, wheelchairs, and bicycles.
- Public transportation is a safe option with accessibility ensured for all.
- User-friendly payment system.
- Exemplary passenger facilities.
- Good connections with other public transportation.
Fifteen actions in line with objectives
The working group on public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport proposes six objectives and 15 actions to be completed by 2030. The actions aim to enhance and strengthen public transportation to and from Keflavík Airport for the future:
Objective 1:
Enhance public transportation to better serve residents, employees, and tourists
- Improve service on rural bus route 55 to better serve service users.
- Regularly review information provision about public transportation.
- Integrate payment methods between rural and urban buses.
- Ensure smooth transfers between vehicles, regardless of operator.
- Ensure access to public transportation to and from Keflavík Airport for disabled people.
Objective 2: Gather better data on travel habits of employees and air passengers
- Conduct annual travel habit surveys among employees and air passengers at Keflavík Airport.
- Regularly compile passenger numbers for buses, scheduled coaches, and other passenger transport vehicles.
Objective 3: Exemplary facilities for passengers
- Improve public transportation access at Keflavík Airport and other key stops.
- Continue preparation for future public transportation facilities at Keflavík Airport and in the capital area.
Objective 4: Public transportation is competitive with other modes of travel
- Consider shared use of CityLine/public transport priority lanes in the capital area.
- Consider land use, environmental impact, and other factors when pricing transportation at Keflavík Airport.
Objective 5: Public transportation is green
- Prepare for energy transition in public transportation.
- Promote green public transportation.
Objective 6:
Stakeholder collaboration on continued development of public transportation
- Establish regular consultation among key stakeholders (e.g., Isavia, Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, Kadeco, Ministry of Infrastructure, Strætó Public Transport, SSH, SSS) on public transportation to and from Keflavík Airport.
- Stakeholders agree on a shared future vision for enhancing public transportation and make an agreement on actions.
About the working group
The working group appointed by the Minister of Infrastructure last year included officers from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Kadeco, Isavia, SSH, SSS, Strætó Public Transport, and the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration. The group's role was to analyze ways to improve public transportation between the capital area and Keflavík Airport in an environmentally friendly manner and propose improvements. The work considered route systems, service levels, pricing, location and framework of waiting areas, and carbon footprint.