Bornholm politicians push for discounted ferry fares for island residents

A future Danish parliament will be tasked with negotiating a new ferry service agreement for Bornholm, with local election candidates calling for a permanent discount scheme for island residents, reports DR.

Under the current dynamic pricing model, ferry tickets for cars to Bornholm can vary from as little as 99 kroner (€13) in off-peak periods to over 1,000 kroner (€134) during summer. Thirteen of 16 local parliamentary candidates surveyed by DR Bornholm support introducing a “Bornholm card,” guaranteeing residents a fixed maximum fare of 350 kroner (€47) year-round for routes between Rønne-Ystad and Rønne-Køge.

The current contract with ferry operator Bornholmslinjen, subsidised with approximately 461 million kroner (€62 million) annually, expires in 2030. A new tender will be issued in 2028, prompting calls for fare reforms.

Michael Hendriksen, candidate for the Denmark Democrats, argues that lower fares are crucial for the island’s future: “A Bornholm card and cheaper tickets could help attract new residents or at least prevent depopulation.” He acknowledges that such a scheme would require increased state subsidies, potentially shifting costs to tourists.

However, not all candidates agree on the fixed-price model. The Conservative Party’s Bornholm branch proposes an alternative: residents would pay no more than 50% of the standard fare, plus a limited number of heavily discounted “emergency travel” tickets annually. “A fixed 350-kroner cap would be too costly for the state and remove incentives for off-peak travel,” says Peter Svarre Fridolf of the Conservatives.

Parliamentary parties will negotiate a new political agreement before the 2030 contract renewal, with ferry pricing expected to be a key issue.