COVID-19 leads to record low Christmas traffic

According to DSB, around 50,000 people have canceled their train tickets over the past couple of weeks and bus traffic is down as well

Christmas is usually a time when the Danes flock in droves to return back to where they originally hail from.

Copenhagen, for instance, sees a mass exodus of people from Jutland and Funen every year, as they return home to see their families.

But not so much this year, thanks to the COVID-19 situation.

National rail operators DSB have revealed that a record few people are taking trains over the Christmas period.

Almost 26,000 train tickets were cancelled last week, while another 24,000 were nixed the week before.

“It’s really positive that the Danes are taking care and avoiding journeys when they can,” said transport minister, Benny Engelbrecht.

“I’m pleased that we can keep the public transport going for those who have critical jobs and those who don’t have a car – like students.”

READ ALSO: Lowest number of traffic fatalities in 90 years

Keep on truckin’
The decline in traffic was also registered for car and bus traffic – down by 32 and 76 percent compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the transportation of goods seems to be continuing unaffected. Truck traffic was actually 5.6 percent higher than this time in 2019. 

“Despite empty trains and buses being a sad picture, it’s a good thing to see the transportation of goods remaining high at this time. And it’s a sure sign that society is thriving, despite the coronavirus,” said Engelbrecht.





  • Most people in Denmark find jobs through ads and networking, survey shows

    Most people in Denmark find jobs through ads and networking, survey shows

    A survey conducted on 18,000 people shows that one-third of those interviewed found a job through their personal network, the same proportion as those who found a job via job advertisements. Institutional channels, like job centers, lag behind

  • 40% of unemployed in Denmark found jobs in 2024

    40% of unemployed in Denmark found jobs in 2024

    An analysis from AE, using data from Eurostat, states that in 2024, around 40% of unemployed people found a job. For those who were long-term unemployed, the figure was 28%. It’s the best performance in Europe.

  • Want to keep your international employees? Then help them leave

    Want to keep your international employees? Then help them leave

    Something many internationals don’t know is what happens in Denmark when you leave a company. While in many countries this is usually a difficult moment, things work differently here. In Denmark, it’s normal to leave a company, to return later, or even to help your employees find a new job. “Here, it’s okay to move on,” writes Signe Biering.