Fewer trains strain commuters: ‘Considering changing jobs’

Commuters in southern Zealand face nearly a month of reduced train service after state rail operator DSB introduced a temporary timetable due to staff shortages.

Danish public broadcaster DR reports the changes take effect on Monday and run until 16 August on three lines connecting Næstved, Køge, and Copenhagen, as well as services between Nykøbing Falster, Næstved, and Copenhagen Central, and between Slagelse and Copenhagen Airport via a bypass route.

Berit Bonnesen, a resident of Næstved, said the disruption has made planning impossible.

“It means I’m actually considering finding a job elsewhere because it’s so hard to plan,” she told DR.

DSB spokesman Tony Bispeskov said the shortages stem from unusually heavy track-work this summer and the need to train additional staff.

“Especially in Zealand, there is a lot of track work, which increases our consumption of train staff,” he said. “Rather than cancel many departures at short notice, we have chosen this approach.”

He added that speed restrictions also require larger reserves of on-time staff.