North Denmark seeks 30 million kroner to keep rural buses running

North Denmark Region has asked the government for at least 30 million kroner to keep buses running in rural districts, DR reports. Without the funding, residents in Brønderslev Municipality could lose routes they rely on.

“It will be difficult to get around North Jutland if we lose the buses,” Lærke Nielsen said.

Jens-Christian Kvist Nielsen said he was concerned about young people who take the bus to school. “Where I live, I see young people standing and waiting for the bus, so it is an important link for them,” he said.

Emily Oyuko said losing the bus service would affect her ability to get to work. “Then I wouldn’t be able to get to work. They need to keep running,” she said.

Mikael Klitgaard, chair of the Municipal Liaison Council for North Jutland and mayor of Brønderslev Municipality, said cutting bus services would make rural areas harder to live in and could drive more people away. He said the region needed government support and that bus services should continue even if fewer people use them. “You have to transport those who are there,” he said.

In a written response to DR, Transport Minister Signe Munk of the Socialist People’s Party said people should be able to live throughout the country. She said the government supports public transport, including through compensation for high diesel prices.