Free rural transport plan criticised as ineffective for young commuters

A government proposal to provide free public transport for Danes under 22 has drawn criticism from rural students who say the scheme fails to address the lack of reliable bus and train services outside cities, DR reports.

Marie Fangel, 19, and Paula Vondeling, 19, who commute to their HF studies in Thisted, say hitchhiking remains their only practical option due to sparse or poorly timed rural routes. Both live in a collective in Svankær, 25 kilometres from their school.

“There are places out here where buses simply don’t run, or they run at odd hours,” Vondeling said. “It’s just easier to hitch.” Last year, she relied on rides to reach her maths exam after giving up on scheduled transport. “It becomes habit—you know someone will pick you up because the system doesn’t always work.”

Fangel, who chose not to get a driver’s licence, depends entirely on friends with cars. “I hitch a lot,” she said. “Even if transport were free, it wouldn’t help if the buses don’t come.”

Critics, including the rural advocacy group Landdistrikternes Fællesråd, argue the €1 billion scheme primarily benefits urban youth where services already exist. Danmarksdemokraterne transport spokesperson Hans Kristian Skibby called the disparity “unfortunate,” noting it “favours those who already have good access to transport.”

Enhedslisten, which proposed the measure, acknowledged rural gaps but pointed to the government’s broader pledge to improve countryside services. “Free tickets are useless if the bus doesn’t run,” said transport spokesperson Leila Stockmarr. “That’s why lifting rural transport is part of the coalition agreement.”

New transport minister Signe Munk (SF) admitted no quick fixes exist but vowed to review ongoing projects. “I fully understand the frustration,” she said. “This has been a long-standing challenge, and I’m committed to exploring solutions.”