Lobbyists urge state to fund Denmark’s shortcut ferries

A delegation from north-western Jutland will urge members of parliament to put Denmark’s shortcut ferry routes on the national budget, DR reports. The group wants the routes to receive the same financial treatment as island ferries.

Eight shortcut ferry routes in Denmark receive municipal subsidies. They connect different parts of the country and reduce driving times for residents and businesses. The Feggesund Forever citizens’ group says the routes are important for settlement, businesses and tourism in rural areas.

Members of the group are due to meet the Folketing’s Committee on Interior, Housing and Rural Districts on Wednesday afternoon. They are concerned that financial pressure could lead some municipalities to close ferry services.

That concern has grown after Thisted Municipality ended its operating agreement with Morsø Municipality for the Feggesund ferry earlier this year. Thisted will now commit to a fixed annual operating subsidy of two million kroner. The ferry links Hannæs, in Thisted Municipality, with northern Mors.

The group estimates that operating the routes costs municipalities a total of about 32 million kroner. It argues the state should help cover the expense, which it says weighs particularly heavily on smaller municipalities.

The issue also featured in the parliamentary election campaign earlier this year, when a large majority of local candidates in north-western Jutland supported putting shortcut ferries on the national budget. Feggesund Forever has also arranged meetings with politicians from both sides of the political spectrum.