Firda Billag
Firda Billag AS is a municipally-owned Norwegian transport group founded in 1920, providing public bus contracts, charter buses, freight logistics, AVIS car rental, and vehicle workshop services across Vestland county under subsidiaries Firda Billag Buss, Transferd, Fjordane Bilutleige, and Trucknor Firda.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersFørde, Norway
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Firda Billag does
Firda Billag AS is a municipally-owned Norwegian transport conglomerate founded in 1920, headquartered in Førde, Vestland county, and owned by 10 municipalities in the region. The company generated NOK 673 million in group revenue with 355 employees and operates approximately 300 heavy vehicles plus 130 rental cars across ~13.2 million vehicle-kilometers annually. Its business is structured around four operating pillars: Firda Billag Buss AS (bus operations, 50/50 joint venture with Connect Bus AS), Transferd AS (wholly-owned freight and logistics), Fjordane Bilutleige AS (car rental under AVIS franchise, wholly-owned since 1975), and Trucknor Firda AS (bus and truck workshop with in-house bodywork). It also holds a 20% minority stake in Vest Dyretransport AS.
The group's revenue model is a hybrid of contracted recurring public-sector revenue and transaction-based commercial revenue. The largest stream is the B2G contract with Vestland Fylkeskommune for local and school bus routes across Sunnfjord and Nordfjord, ticketed through the Skyss system. Transactional streams include charter/tour bus bookings (quote-based), express bus partnerships (Fjordekspressen NW431 with Nor-Way Bussekspress; VY170 Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen with Vy), freight and package delivery via Transferd, AVIS-branded car and van rental through Fjordane Bilutleige, and external workshop services from Trucknor Firda. Distribution leverages the corporate website (firda-billag.no), direct phone/email sales offices in Førde, Sandane, and Stryn, and national ticketing/reseller platforms (Skyss, Entur, Nor-Way, Vy). Marketing is regionally focused through local sponsorship of sports, culture, and youth initiatives plus participation in industry recruitment events.
The company transitioned from an intercommunal company (IKS) to a limited company (AS) in 2011, consolidating operations through a series of historical acquisitions. Recent strategic activity has centered on environmental modernization — ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001 certifications across all subsidiaries, a NOK 200M+ EURO-6 fleet upgrade, hybrid and electric bus pilots with Volvo, and entry into zero-emission city bus operations under a new public procurement contract — alongside divestiture of non-core ventures (Travelnet travel agency dissolved 2020; Airlift Solutions dissolved 2021). All four main subsidiaries hold ISO 14001 certification, and Firda Billag Buss was recognized as the national 2018 Apprenticeship Company of the Year in transport trades.
Firda Billag firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Firda Billag
- Legal name
- Firda Billag AS
- Website
- https://firda-billag.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Firda Billag AS is a municipally-owned Norwegian transport group founded in 1920, providing public bus contracts, charter buses, freight logistics, AVIS car rental, and vehicle workshop services across Vestland county under subsidiaries Firda Billag Buss, Transferd, Fjordane Bilutleige, and Trucknor Firda.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Firda Billag industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Transportation Services
- NAICS
- Interurban and Rural Bus Transportation (48521), Support Activities for Road Transportation (4884), Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851)
- SIC
- Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Services-Auto Rental & Leasing (No Drivers) (7510)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rural/Small-Town Public Bus Operators (TLAFAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Rural & Small-Town Intercity Scheduled Bus Operators (THAIADAF), Domestic Distribution & Regional Linehaul Forwarding (TLACACAD)
Keywords
Where Firda Billag is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Førde
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Firda Billag business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Public Transport Contracts: Contracted passenger transport services for Vestland County Municipality covering local routes and school routes. Revenue from public subsidies and ticket sales through Skyss system.
- Charter Bus Services: Tour bus services for groups, day trips, and multi-day travel. Customers book via website or phone for customized transport solutions.
- Express Bus Routes: Express routes NW431 Fjordekspressen (Bergen-Førde) and VY170 Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen (Oslo-Førde) operated in partnership with Nor-Way and Vy.
- Freight/Goods Transport: Through Transferd AS subsidiary - distribution, long-haul transport, and specialized transport services. Also package shipping via bus routes.
- Car Rental: Fjordane Bilutleige AS operating AVIS franchise with approximately 130 rental cars for private and business customers.
- Workshop Services: Trucknor Firda AS provides bus and truck repair services with own bodywork department. Serves both internal fleet and external customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Charter/tour bus services - custom pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Package shipping via bus |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Firda Billag product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Firda Billag AS operates a diversified transport group through multiple subsidiaries: Firda Billag Buss AS provides local and express passenger bus services including Fjordekspressen NW431 and Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen VY170; Transferd AS handles freight and logistics services; Fjordane Bilutleige AS operates car rental under the AVIS franchise; and Trucknor Firda AS provides vehicle repair services. The group serves the Sunnfjord and Nordfjord regions of Western Norway with contracted public transport routes, charter bus services, and commercial freight operations.
Product overview
Firda Billag AS is an intercommunal transport company founded in 1920 and converted to an AS (limited company) in 2011, owned by 10 municipalities in Vestland county. The group operates as a platform of transport-related businesses spanning passenger bus services (Firda Billag Buss), freight/logistics (Transferd), car rental (Fjordane Bilutleige under the AVIS franchise), and vehicle workshop services (Trucknor Firda). Firda Billag Buss itself is co-owned 50% by Connect Bus AS and 50% by Firda Billag AS. The group generated NOK 673 million in revenue (2023/2024), operates approximately 300 heavy vehicles, 130 rental cars, and 13.2 million kilometers annually, with 355 employees.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Fjordekspressen: Express bus service between Trondheim and Bergen, operated in cooperation with Nor-Way Bussekspress.
- Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen (VY 170)
Products and services
- Firda Billag Buss - Local Bus Services Local passenger bus routes contracted with Vestland County Authority for daily commute, school transportation, and public transit in Sunnfjord and Nordfjord regions. Includes serviceskyss (demand-responsive transport).
- Transferd - Freight and Logistics Freight transport and logistics services including cargo distribution, long-haul transport, and specialized transport assignments across local, regional, and national routes. Operates a freight apprenticeship program at its Kaupanger location.
- Trucknor Firda - Vehicle Repair Services Bus and truck repair services with in-house bodywork (karosseri) and paint departments. Serves as the group's workshop subsidiary offering professional vehicle maintenance.
- Fjordane Bilutleige - AVIS Car Rental Car and van rental services through approximately 130 rental vehicles in Sunnfjord, including private cars, vans, and minibuses for private and business customers under the AVIS brand.
- Charter/Tour Bus Services (Turbuss) Customized charter bus hire for groups, tour operators, and event planners covering day trips, multi-day tours, and special event transport across the region.
- Fjordekspressen (NW431) and Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen (VY170) Long-distance express bus routes connecting Sunnfjord and Nordfjord regions with Bergen, Oslo, and other major cities, operated in partnership with Nor-Way Bussekspress and Vy.
- Electric Bus Service (EL-buss) Zero-emission city bus service launched under a new public procurement contract, marking Firda Billag Buss's entry into electric public transport operations.
- Package Shipping via Bus Small package delivery service for businesses and individuals using the existing bus route network, offering competitive shipping to destinations in or outside the county.
Quantifiable outcome
- 13,204,411 kilometers driven annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Firda Billag
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Firda Billag technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Firda Billag partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and moderate.
- Connect Bus AScoreJoint ownership (50/50) of Firda Billag Buss AS. Connect Bus AS is a strategic partner in the bus operating company, combining resources for regional public transport operations.
- Nor-Way Bussekspress AScorePartnership for Fjordekspressen NW431 express route connecting Bergen-Førde-Stryn. Nor-Way sells tickets and coordinates the express route with Firda Billag Buss operating the service.
- Vy (formerly NSB)corePartnership for VY170 Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen express route connecting Oslo-Førde. Vy sells tickets and coordinates service with Firda Billag Buss operating the route.
- AVIS Budget GroupcoreFranchise partnership for Fjordane Bilutleige AS operating under AVIS brand. Provides car rental services through international AVIS network with approximately 130 vehicles.
- Norsk Lastebileigarforbund (NLF)minorCollaboration on 'På riktig side' project aimed at reducing fuel consumption. Also supported 'Kjetting NM' competition and driver recruitment initiatives.
- Klimapartner VestlandmoderateFirda Billag participates in Klimapartner Vestland initiative, working with other regional actors to contribute to green transport solutions.
- Vestland Fylkeskommune (Vestland County)coreMain public transport authority contracting Firda Billag Buss for local routes and school transportation in Sunnfjord and Nordfjord regions.
- SkyssmoderateRegional public transport ticketing and route information system for Western Norway. Distributes tickets and route information for Firda Billag local services.
- Entur ASmoderateNational public transport information platform providing route search and ticketing for Firda Billag services across Norway.
- Opplæringskontoret for Transport og Logistikk (Training Office for Transport and Logistics)minorPartnership for apprenticeship program in professional driver and logistics trades. Firda Billag has been member company since 1998.
- Norges Lastebileier-Forbund, NHO Transport, SOTINminorOrganizers of nationwide driver recruitment tour 'Følg drømmen ikke strømmen' which visited Firda Billag in Førde in October 2021.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Firda Billag competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Tide Buss AS: Tide Buss operates regional and city bus routes across Western Norway under municipal contracts, competing for similar public service obligation tenders in counties overlapping Firda Billag's Vestland service area.
- Unibuss AS: Unibuss is a Norwegian bus operator running scheduled urban, suburban, and school transport services under public contracts in the Oslo region, applying the same contracted municipal bus model as Firda Billag at slightly larger urban scale.
- Boreal Transport AS: Boreal Transport is one of Norway's largest bus and coach operators, holding multiple public service obligation (PSO) contracts with Norwegian counties - directly comparable to Firda Billag's contracted municipal bus model in Vestland.
- Nettbuss AS: Nettbuss operates scheduled regional bus and coach services across Eastern and Western Norway under municipal and commercial contracts, mirroring Firda Billag's contracted passenger and express bus business.
- Connect Bus AS: Connect Bus AS is Firda Billag's 50/50 joint venture partner in Firda Billag Buss AS, operating regional public bus services in Western Norway with similar contract-based municipal revenue models and fleet scale.
- Nor-Way Bussekspress AS: Nor-Way Bussekspress is the national express bus network co-founded by Firda Billag in 1987 and its channel partner for Fjordekspressen, serving comparable long-distance scheduled bus passengers across Norway.
Broad incumbents
- AVIS Budget Group: AVIS Budget Group is the global car rental brand that Firda Billag operates under franchise as Fjordane Bilutleige; comparable franchise rental operating model with ~130 vehicles in Sunnfjord.
- Vy (formerly NSB): Vy is a large Norwegian transport group spanning rail, bus, and coach services; it operates VY170 Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen in partnership with Firda Billag and competes/cooperates with it on inter-city bus services nationally.
- DB Schenker (Bring): DB Schenker / Bring is a major Nordic freight and logistics provider comparable to Firda Billag's Transferd AS subsidiary in distribution and long-haul road transport services across Norway.
Others
- PostNord Norge (Bring): PostNord/Posten Norge is a large parcel and logistics operator in Norway, adjacent to Firda Billag's package shipping via bus routes and Transferd freight services.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses6 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Firda Billag social profiles
Digital presenceFirda Billag compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Firda Billag financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Firda Billag leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Firda Billag subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Firda Billag funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Firda Billag M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Firda Billag
What does Firda Billag do?
Firda Billag AS operates a diversified transport group through multiple subsidiaries: Firda Billag Buss AS provides local and express passenger bus services including Fjordekspressen NW431 and Sogn og Fjordane-ekspressen VY170; Transferd AS handles freight and logistics services; Fjordane Bilutleige AS operates car rental under the AVIS franchise; and Trucknor Firda AS provides vehicle repair services. The group serves the Sunnfjord and Nordfjord regions of Western Norway with contracted public transport routes, charter bus services, and commercial freight operations.
Is Firda Billag a public or private company?
Firda Billag is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Firda Billag founded?
Firda Billag was founded in 1920. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Firda Billag based?
Firda Billag is headquartered in Førde, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does Firda Billag make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Public Transport Contracts are the primary driver. The others are charter Bus Services, express Bus Routes, freight/Goods Transport, car Rental and workshop Services.
Who are Firda Billag's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Tide Buss AS, Unibuss AS, Boreal Transport AS, Nettbuss AS, Connect Bus AS and Nor-Way Bussekspress AS. Broad incumbents are AVIS Budget Group, Vy (formerly NSB) and DB Schenker (Bring). PostNord Norge (Bring) is listed as an others.
Does Firda Billag have an API?
No public API is recorded for Firda Billag.
What industry is Firda Billag in?
Firda Billag's product category is Public Transportation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFAGAD, Rural/Small-Town Public Bus Operators, with a secondary code of THAIADAF, Rural & Small-Town Intercity Scheduled Bus Operators. Its NAICS code is 48521 and its SIC code is 4100.