– Today, designated security guards can detain passengers who do not have a valid ticket only if they are accompanied by an employee of the carrier. Now we want appointed security guards to have the same right to detain passengers as employees, says Transportation Secretary John Ivar Nygaard (AP) In a press release.
Figures from carriers suggest that more people are choosing to ignore their fines because they know guards won’t stop you.
– So it is only natural that there is a proposal to change the law. We can’t get away from the fact that using public transportation costs money, and everyone has to please himself. In any case, it is often only designated security guards who search tickets today. Transport companies depend on them, says the transport minister.
The right to detain passengers who do not have a valid ticket was introduced in 2003. The Supreme Court ruling in 2020 made it clear that appointed ticket inspectors do not have the independent right to detain, only the employees of the carrier. In the bill, it is also assumed that guards should not detain passengers unless the police are on their way.
– At the same time, I must stress that the security guards have strict requirements for surveillance and compulsory education. Nygaard says they are well equipped for such jobs.
The legislative proposal has a consultation date of October 21. The Ministry of Transport and Communications must then consider any input, before any potential change in the law comes to Parliament.
“Web specialist. Lifelong zombie maven. Coffee ninja. Hipster-friendly analyst.”
