Public rejects problem-riddled rejsekort

Only ten percent of travellers use the electronic travel card

The blue sphere found in buses, metro and bus stations doesn’t seem to be beckoning as many travellers as politicians had hoped.

Søndagsavisen reports that in the first half of this year only ten percent of all trips made by bus and train were made using rejsekort, the much-criticized electronic travel card.

Based on the calculations by the Danish Transportation Authority, transport minister Magnus Heunicke told the Parliamentary Transport Committee that it was the wish in 2005 for people to have an electronic card, however the numbers show that this is “far from the case”.

Kristian Pihl Lorentzen, transport spokesman for Venstre (the Liberal Party), agrees calling the numbers “shocking low”.

User unfriendly
Many have criticized the travel card saying it is not user-friendly and are victim to large penalties when forgetting to check out. In fact, in this year alone, rejsekort users have coughed up 816,000 kroner in fines. So most travellers simply use other vouchers, old tickets, mobile tickets and season tickets to get around.

READ MORE: Sales of multi-ride tickets extended again

Thomas Boe Bramsen, marketing director for Travel Card A/S, explains that the reason for not having widespread card use is to be “expected when you have not yet phased out punch cards [klippecort] in the metropolitan areas”.

The sale of the punch cards in question are due to be phased out by 9 February 2015 and will be able to be used until 30 June 2015.

Heunecke has given the company a December deadline to provide a plan to solve the problems with the card and then he will decide how to proceed.

TOP STORIES

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs