What happens when transport follows real needs?
From 12 to 45 participants — and 11 times lower CO₂ emissions. KGB Dance and Ballet shows what happens when real transport needs are met with smart technology.
KGB Dance and Ballet is a powerful example of what can happen when a real mobility need is addressed with an intelligent transport solution. Since August, they have organised shared transport for children and young people travelling to and from activities using Nimmo. The results are impressive: high vehicle utilisation, satisfied parents, and a system that actually works. Entirely without public subsidies.
We first connected with KGB Dance and Ballet in 2024. Even though Nimmo wasn’t ready for deployment at that time, KGB was very clear that they believed in the collaboration. They wanted to reduce the amount of afternoon driving required from parents, make better use of the dance studio during hours when it was normally empty, and support calmer evenings for both children and families since the activity would already be completed earlier in the day.
With Nimmo, KGB coordinates transport to and from activities. They work with TK Bussreiser (Kløfta) and Bærum Minibuss, who pick up and drop off children at various schools in the region. By using Nimmo, the transport operation becomes structured and predictable. Organisation becomes easier for KGB, and parents have full oversight of when their children are collected and returned. Nimmo’s planning tools also help transport providers optimise their routes, something that is essential for delivering efficient shared transport.
Last year, KGB had 12 children in their after-school programme. This semester, that number has grown to 45. Since August, they have completed 57 individual trips with a total of 882 passenger journeys. That gives an average utilisation rate of around 52% of available vehicle capacity over a 3-month period (12 weeks).
When you compare this to traditional public transport, the difference is striking. It’s not entirely black and white, of course, but it clearly illustrates what demand-driven transport can do for vehicle efficiency.
The environmental impact is also noteworthy. In KGB’s case, children travel an average of 6 km per day. While this varies slightly, it provides a realistic basis for comparing shared transport, carpooling and individual parent driving. (See graphs below.)
The cost per child per trip is around NOK 90 — with NOK 82 going to the transport providers and NOK 8 covering the Nimmo licence. All without any form of subsidy. KGB is now considering extending the programme to more days per week, which is fantastic.
But the benefits go far beyond utilisation, emissions and cost.
If parents had to drive their children individually, it would result in:
more cars on the road during the afternoon rush
increased logistical pressure on parents during working hours
less predictability for the activities
fewer children able to attend dance classes
By offering transport, KGB gives more children the opportunity to participate, regardless of parents’ working hours, access to a car, or capacity to drive. This creates:
increased recruitment to dance and cultural activities
more consistent attendance throughout the year
stronger ties to sports and culture in the region
greater activity, bringing positive ripple effects to the municipality and local community
Funding is often a challenge for cultural organisations, sports clubs and other groups wanting to provide transport. But for KGB, this arrangement means they can plan more effectively, grow safely and include children who would otherwise be excluded. For families, it means less stress and more opportunities. For the children, it means social development, the chance to be active, a sense of belonging and room to grow.
Capacity utilisation
Source: Statistics Norway (Key Figures for Urban Buses, 2023) / Statistics Norway (Public Transport Statistics, 2022).
Emissions
CO₂ calculations are based on 0.16 kg CO₂ per kilometre as the standard emission factor for passenger cars (SSB/TØI). Emissions are calculated per kilometre driven, regardless of how many people are in the vehicle. With two children per car in a carpooling scenario, fewer cars are needed overall, reducing total driving distance and therefore CO₂ emissions.