Viborg commuters say rail upgrades leave city behind

Commuters and politicians in Viborg say the city is being overlooked as better train services are planned elsewhere in Jutland, DR reports.

“As things stand, we are 8-0 behind West Jutland,” said Allan Bjerregaard, chair of the Social Democrats in Viborg West. From December 13, West Jutland is due to get eight direct daily train departures from Struer to Copenhagen, up from four. Passengers will also get faster trains between Silkeborg and Aarhus after a new route is introduced. Viborg is not set to benefit from either improvement.

Bjerregaard said the frustration reflected years of unsuccessful campaigning. He first wrote a letter to the editor about the issue in 2012 and urged Viborg’s municipal council to contact the area’s two elected MPs, Lise Bertelsen and Katrine Evelyn Jensen, as well as Transport Minister Signe Munk, to develop a plan for better connections.

Viborg Mayor Katrine Fusager Rohde said she shared the frustration and had requested a meeting with the transport minister, but had not received a response. She said work was under way to upgrade the train connection to Aarhus and explore ways to reduce journey times.

Commuters also described problems with local services. Nikolaj Navntoft, who lives in Mammen and attends EUX Business, said there were too few morning departures between Bjerringbro and Viborg. Niklas Thorup Jakobsen said delays could make students late for school and leave them with unjustified absences.

Emilie Byø, who lives in Sjørslev, said travelling to Copenhagen meant taking a train to Aarhus and continuing from there, adding time and expense. She said more train and bus departures, including direct trains to Copenhagen and other major cities, would be welcome. DR said it was unable to get a comment from Signe Munk on Viborg’s transport challenges.