North Denmark must find 60 million kroner to protect bus and train services

North Denmark Region must find 60 million kroner for public transport next year, with rural bus routes at risk of reduced service or closure, DR reports.

Rising fuel prices and fewer young people choosing buses and trains have contributed to the shortfall at Nordjyllands Trafikselskab, the region’s public transport company.

“It is a staggering amount,” said Susanne Flydtkjær of the Red-Green Alliance, who sits on the region’s committee for environment, mobility and education.

Flydtkjær said she was particularly concerned that departures in rural areas could be reduced or stopped altogether. Residents in those areas depend on buses to get to work, she said.

The committee has received proposals from Nordjyllands Trafikselskab for finding the money. They include reducing departures on some routes and cancelling others entirely.

“If you ask me, it all looks equally bad,” Flydtkjær said.

Poul Kristensen of the Social Democrats, who chairs the committee, said the region could not resolve the public transport crisis on its own. He said North Denmark would need funding from the Danish Parliament at Christiansborg if it was to avoid closing routes.

“The Danish Parliament has said that it wants strong public transport. We believe we are doing as well as we can with the funds available to us,” Kristensen said.

The Danish government said earlier this summer that it would provide a rescue package for public transport because of rising fuel prices, particularly to prevent rural bus routes from closing. However, North Denmark Region has not yet been told how much money it can expect to receive.

“Our task now is to contact Christiansborg to get clarification,” Kristensen said.

DR was unable to obtain a comment from Transport Minister Signe Munk of the Socialist People’s Party.