DSB admits poor performance as nearly a third of trains delayed in early 2024

Danish state railway operator DSB has acknowledged significant delays in its services during the first quarter of 2024, with nearly a third of long-distance and regional trains arriving late, national broadcaster DR reports.

According to the company’s latest financial statement, 32.2% of DSB’s intercity and regional trains arrived at least three minutes behind schedule between January and March—up from around 20% in the same period last year. The target is for at least 75% of trains to arrive within three minutes of their scheduled time.

“We have tested our customers’ patience in the early part of the year,” admitted DSB CEO Flemming Jensen in the statement. He described stabilising operations and ensuring reliable service as the company’s top priority moving forward.

The report cites necessary infrastructure work and severe winter weather as key factors behind the decline in punctuality. DSB also noted insufficient seating capacity on several routes.

Financial figures show a drop in revenue for the first quarter, with total earnings of DKK 2.9 billion—over DKK 100 million less than the same period in 2023. While passenger income remained nearly stable, the decline stemmed largely from reduced payments under DSB’s fixed-route contracts with the state. Pre-tax profit fell sharply from DKK 225 million in early 2023 to just DKK 6 million this year.

For the full year 2025, DSB’s on-time performance stood at 73.2%, still below its 75% target.