Tunnel boosts business at both ends

Residents at both ends of the Tórshavn-Eysturoy tunnel were optimistic when the tunnel opened on 19 December last year.

And according to residents KvF spoke to, the shortened travel time has indeed proved prosperous for both regions.

Stores in Runavík/Saltangará are reporting revenue increases and a much broader customer base, and some have even extended their opening hours to meet the increased customer demand.

“At first I was a bit worried that all our customers would go to Tórshavn to do their shopping. But our store has actually done much better since the tunnel opened,” says Poula Ellingsgaard, who works in the Shari store in Saltangará.

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The Eysturoy people we spoke to say they now travel much more to Tórshavn.

“Tórshavn is now just a short drive away, whereas before you had to set aside a whole day if you wanted to go there,” says Eyðvør Berg, who works in Runavík’s Berglon store.

The capital has benefitted too. One example is taxi firm Auto, which has seen a significant increase in demand.

“We have far more trips to Eysturoy now, especially at the weekends when young people need a ride home after a night out here in Tórshavn,” says Auto’s Erling í Liða.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.