DSB admits service cuts may be needed to address worst delays in over a decade

Danish state railway operator DSB is considering reducing train frequencies and extending travel times across parts of the network to combat persistent delays, director Flemming Jensen confirmed in an interview with public broadcaster DR on Monday.

“We’re facing challenges across the board,” Jensen said, acknowledging that punctuality has fallen far below the 75 percent target set in DSB’s traffic contract—where no more than roughly three minutes’ delay is permitted per journey. “This isn’t satisfactory,” he admitted, noting that 2026 has seen the worst performance in 11 years.

The proposed measures, intended to build “robustness” into the system, have drawn sharp criticism from commuters, politicians, and passenger representatives. But Jensen defended the approach, arguing that the network’s current reliability has deteriorated to an unsustainable level. “Every parameter is under strain,” he said. “We have to examine what steps we can take.”

Delays have already cost DSB some 40 million kroner in passenger compensation this year—nearly two-thirds of the 60 million kroner paid out in all of 2025. Jensen compared the situation to roadworks on a motorway, where drivers expect longer travel times. “The railway is undergoing total reconstruction,” he said. “It’s incredibly complex.”

Key issues include outdated IC4 trains—now unable to operate to Aarhus without being towed—alongside forced speed reductions due to track defects, signal system failures, and ongoing upgrades at Aarhus Central Station. A new IT system for staff scheduling has also caused major disruptions, while accidents in 2026 have sent additional trains to workshops for repairs.

Only one of the past 13 months met punctuality targets, with April 2026 marking the lowest point: just 60 percent of journeys arrived on time. Jensen pledged improvements in the coming months as infrastructure manager Banedanmark addresses speed restrictions on critical routes. DSB is also deploying AI to analyze delay data and identify root causes.

“We’ve launched an in-depth effort to understand what’s really driving these delays,” he said. “The goal is to create a more robust system and restore punctuality.”