UPPER’s Mobility as a Right concept #MAAR in Oslo

The “Mobility as a Right” (MaaR) concept is one of the pillars of UPPER. It is a strategic vision aimed at ensuring inclusive mobility, where all citizens are taken into consideration, regardless of their physical and mental capabilities or social and economic background.

UPPER strategies originate from a firm belief in:

Accessibility + Inclusiveness = Freedom

MaaR is a central element of UPPER's communication strategy. It is essential to represent all segments of society to effectively carry out UPPER's vision of public transport as an inclusive mode of transportation. This inclusivity ensures that public transport can enhance economic, social, and political opportunities for everyone, ultimately improving their quality of life.

As cities work towards decarbonizing their transport systems, there are numerous opportunities to transform these systems and services. This includes the electrification of fleets, the development of integrated transport solutions, micromobility options, and more. However, the potential benefits for the environment, economy, and public health will not be fully realized if certain users feel unable, unsafe, or unwilling to engage in the decarbonized future of transportation.

Oslo, one of the project's Living Labs, has been working on building a culture of social inclusion to ensure their public transportation services are accessible to all. Their "Mind the Gap" concept received very good feedback and has now included most of their employees, almost all leaders in Ruter, and even the Board of Directors and owners. It all started In 2020 when Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO of Ruter, met a young man who left a great impression on him. In a debate on Norwegian television, Amir Hashani stated that as a wheelchair user, he often had to give up on traveling by bus because the bus ramp had got stuck or because the ramp key was missing.

“I myself felt the stress and insecurity a visually impaired person experiences on public transport. That made an impression on me.” Bernt Reitan Jenssen, CEO of Ruter

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