Blåvand businesses struggle to hire young staff after bus route closure

The popular Danish holiday town of Blåvand is facing staffing shortages as local businesses struggle to recruit young workers following the closure of its fixed bus route in 2023, local shop owners report.

Blåvand’s permanent population of around 300 swells to nearly 30,000 during peak tourist season, increasing demand for staff in shops, supermarkets, and restaurants. Gregers Mark, owner of the local Meny supermarket, said the lack of transport options excludes potential employees who cannot drive.

“There are people who can’t take a car—either because they’re not old enough to drive or because their family only has one,” Mark said. He hopes for a seasonal solution, such as a minibus running a few times daily to align with shift schedules.

Halima Zadran, owner of Storms Café, said she typically begins hiring young staff in February, but many decline after learning there is no bus to Blåvand. “I’m not saying the bus needs to run every hour like it used to. But if it ran three times out and three times back, young people would at least have an option,” she said. Longer wait times at the café are one visible effect of the staffing shortage, she added.

Preben Friis-Hauge, chair of Sydtrafik and a local politician, said the previous route 140 was discontinued due to low ridership—about 1.3 to 1.4 passengers per trip on a 48-seat bus. He is open to dialogue with business owners but suggests alternatives like smaller buses, carpooling, or existing flexible transport services such as Plustur, FlexUng, and FlexJunior.