It's a new and better collective transport system that preserves the cityscape, cuts emissions, noise and costs.

JIBI moves infrastructure underground to just fit large tunnels for efficient flow of passengers in self-driving minibuses. It is designed for flexibility and scalability in that the tunnel system can be relatively easily extended to cover larger areas, facilitating more travelers with increasing the number of buses.

“Traditionally, infrastructure for road and public transport is space and cost intensive. JIBI, developed by the business community in Rogaland, delivers high utility value at a low cost level compared to other transport projects,” says Project Manager Helen Roth of VIA, the national industry cluster for safe, smart and sustainable infrastructure.

The price tag for a full-fledged public transport system with two one-way races of just under a mile is estimated at 1.5 - 2 billion. This includes station building, vehicle procurement, charging infrastructure, as well as operation and maintenance in the first year.

Practically landscaped

By moving the public transport journey from ground level to a closed system specially designed for one type of vehicle, the system frees up queues and other traffic. The purpose is to ensure an efficient travel day from residential and commercial areas to public transport hubs such as rail and bus routes.

“Good mobility should provide accessibility for everyone, with the least amount of strain on the environment,” Roth says.

Station buildings below ground and, where possible, on the lower floors of the building screens both travelers and vehicles for exterior elements. This ensures better control of the surroundings. A system that is spared from snow, slush, salting, exhaust, wind, leaves, sand and dust is a cost-saving measure that reduces the need for downtime due to washing and maintenance.

Brand Norway

The business community at Nord-Jæren has developed the new mobility concept. Unlike other underground projects, JIBI is based on drilling rather than blasting. Technology that requires upgrades and replacements should be placed in the vehicles rather than in the tunnels to ensure the longest possible service life.

“This project shows the will to change in the region,” says Ketil Solvik-Olsen of Seabrokers Fundamentation, which together with VIA, Aarbakke Innovation and Mobility Forus is behind the mobility concept.

“Here, technology and expertise from the oil and gas industry are used in a green transport project. In addition, the business community in the region has experience of some of the world's most extensive infrastructure projects, including through Ryfast, the world's longest undersea tunnel. With that, the region possesses almost the entire value chain,” he adds.

The aim is to deliver a full-fledged mobility concept that can be exported internationally. The design and construction of tunnels, vehicles and operations are done in dialogue with the Norwegian authorities and in accordance with European regulations.

A green value chain

The initiators focus on challenging established truths and rethinking through the whole process. In the concept phase, the construction industry and suppliers of everything from drilling machines to concrete and asphalt have been challenged on climate and environmentally friendly solutions.

“In order for the transport sector to reach the overall goal of cutting 90% emissions by 2050, we need to rethink,” said Linn Terese Lohne Marken, general manager of Mobility Forus, operator of self-driving buses, referring to the EU's Green Deal.

“Public transport must become a real alternative even outside the major metropolitan areas. Then there is a need for effective and attractive alternatives that it becomes a matter of course to use, and I believe that JIBI will deliver that,” she adds.

In order to ensure a full-fledged value chain, the partners have associated with them relevant enterprises. Among other things, the bus that is on the drawing board is provided by Per Ivar Selvaag who has previously designed cars for Ford, BMW and the French supercar Peugot Onyx. Beyonder is in dialogue about supplying the batteries for the vehicles, and Annette Anfinnsen of Robotic Innovation is working with Mobility Forus on the steering system and driverless operation on board.

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