It requires a change in the law if Danish local and regional trains are to run through the Fehmarntunnel. This is stated by the traffic company Movia in a memo to Region Zealand. The region would like to make full use of the opportunities that the fixed connection provides, for example for commuting between Northern Germany Lolland-Falster, and has therefore asked Movia to screen the possibilities.
Can only drive in Region Zealand
In the note, Movia writes that the Danish law on transport companies does not currently allow cross-border traffic. That law must therefore be amended before Movia can enter into a contract with a Danish or German train operator for local service over the Fehmarnbelt. The law states that a regional transport company must be responsible for collective/public transport within the company’s geographical area. In the case of Region Zealand, it is therefore defined as – Region Zealand.
Allowed for Region Southern Denmark
The region of Southern Denmark already has an exception provision in the law, which states that “the transport companies for the purpose of serving the border region (can) carry out tasks relating to public service traffic in the form of regular route driving across the country’s border.” Region Zealand does not have such an exception, and therefore their trains and buses must stop before entering the tunnel – unless the law is changed.
It should be a formality to have the legal text changed so that Region Zealand gets the same opportunities as Region Southern Denmark. If it falls into place, there are still a few things that need to be clarified before you can take a local train from, for example, Holeby to Neustadt.
Must look at trains and stations
In part, there must be an overview of how many trains are needed if the service is to be extended to Northern Germany. It must also be looked at whether there are special safety requirements for the equipment that must be met in order to drive on both sides of the border.
In addition to the train equipment, it must also be clarified where the trains will stop. On the Danish side, only the new station at Holeby and the station in Nykøbing Falster are relevant. Passengers from Nakskov and Maribo must therefore prepare for a trip to Falster before they can continue south with local trains from, for example, Lollandsbanen.
Collaboration with NAH SH
Finally, it also remains to start a concrete collaboration with NAH SH (Nahverkehr Schleswig Holstein) in Schleswig-Holstein. In the first instance, a common timetable must be drawn up for the further work.
The EU’s so-called PSO regulation (Public Service Obligation) allows governments to financially support certain transport services that are essential for the public, but which are not financially profitable in themselves.
