Sustainability of public transit in small towns questioned

Traditional route-based transport such as buses is neither economically nor climate-sustainable in less densely populated areas of Denmark, states Helga Theil Thomsen, chair of the government’s expert committee on collective mobility. In the first report, the committee suggests exploring alternative transport solutions, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns, including more flexible and user-driven options. The report includes a catalogue of ideas, noting possibilities for easing regulations on privately paid transport in the countryside. The expert committee, appointed by Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen in May 2023, presented its findings at Lemvig Station. Danielsen acknowledges the inadequacy of current public transport in some areas. Approximately 180,000 citizens lack access to a bus stop or train station within a three-kilometre radius, primarily affecting children and young people.