Cancelled train means pressure for buses: Here are the affected routes

If you traveled by train in Jutland on Sunday, you may have noticed some chaos on the platforms. A large part of Jutland's train traffic has been canceled and will continue to be until 12 noon on Monday.

This is due to a widespread signaling failure that occurred in connection with Banedanmark updating and expanding the signaling system that controls Danish train traffic.

- We are working on two things: expanding the number of sections covered by the new signaling system to also include the sections Aarhus-Skanderborg and Skanderborg-Fredericia, and we have updated the system and corrected some errors that were in it. It's a bit like updating your smartphone, says Mads Søndergaard, who is area chief at Banedanmark, to DR News.

- The system consists of both central and geographical components. And it is the central component that has been affected by the failure now. Therefore, it affects all the sections in Jutland where the new signaling system has been implemented.

This applies to sections controlled by DSB, GoCollective, Midtjyske Jernbaner, and Nordjyske Jernbaner.

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Train service disrupted in Jutland

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*DSB:*

* Already trains have been replaced by buses on the sections Randers-Aarhus and Aarhus-Skanderborg due to planned track work

* Trains between Esbjerg-Lunderskov, Randers-Aalborg, and Vejle-Herning-Struer have also been canceled due to the signaling failure

* Buses are being put in place - but it is not certain that DSB will be able to secure all the 50 buses needed

*GoCollective:*

* Operates a number of lines in Western, Central, and Southern Jutland, as well as a line on Funen, where normal service is in operation

* The other lines, including Tønder-Esbjerg and Esbjerg-Herning, have been affected by the breakdown

* Buses have been put in place to a certain extent

*Midtjyske Jernbaner:*

* Primarily operates the Lemvig Line (Vemb-Lemvig-Thyborøn) and the section between Skjern and Holstebro

* Buses have been put in place on all lines until Monday at noon and delays have been announced

*Nordjyske Jernbaner:*

* Operates trains on the section from Skagen to Hobro

* All trains are canceled on the section: Skagen, Frederikshavn, Hjørring, Hirtshals Aalborg, and Hobro

* Buses have been put in place until Monday afternoon

Due to planned track work, train traffic to and from Aarhus has been halted from January 16 to January 27. Buses have been put in place during this period. (Photo: © Mikkel Berg Pedersen, Ritzau Scanpix)

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DSB: We are doing everything to get more buses

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For DSB, the signaling failure is a bit of a headache because there is already extensive track work going on around Aarhus, which has canceled train traffic between Randers-Aarhus and Aarhus-Skanderborg until January 27. Therefore, buses have already been put in place on the two sections.

This is what DSB's information chief, Tony Bispeskov, says:

- When it's busiest, a bus will leave or arrive at Aarhus Station every minute. So it takes a lot of resources. But we expect it to run as planned, so people shouldn't be nervous. But it means that we have a hard time getting more buses in Jutland.

Tony Bispeskov also explains that it is the sections Esbjerg-Lunderskov, Randers-Aalborg, and Vejle-Herning-Struer that are affected.

- The three sections have a need for about 50 buses, which we are in the process of requesting from our bus suppliers. We are doing everything we can overnight to secure the buses for tomorrow morning. It means that drivers from Zealand are on their way to Jutland with buses, because we have emptied the market in Jutland, sounds it from the information chief.

Overview of the buses that have been put in place in Aarhus due to the renovation of the station. The buses have different colored signs in the front, so passengers can more easily find the line they need to take.

He has a clear recommendation for travelers on Monday morning and afternoon: Leave early, as there may be delays.

- If you are traveling on one of the three sections, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to secure all the buses. So if you have the opportunity to travel after Banedanmark has fixed the failure, we recommend it.

Tony Bispeskov also emphasizes that DSB's Travel Time Guarantee applies to people with regular tickets and means that if there is a delay of more than half an hour, you can get a new ticket or have part of your ticket refunded. For commuters, it will be automatically adjusted after a month.

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Banedanmark: Train service is very complex

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There are no doubt many frustrated train passengers who have wondered all weekend how this could happen. How can so many Danish trains be out of service for so many hours?

This question has also been asked of Banedanmark, which is responsible for train service in Denmark.

- Train service is very complex. It is an IT system that will come to control train service throughout the country. Right now, it's Jutland where we are updating the system, but there is also a system that covers Zealand and Funen, which we are in the process of implementing, explains area chief in Banedanmark, Mads Søndergaard.

Why do you insist on controlling train service through a central IT system when it is so vulnerable?

- When it works, we get a more stable train service. But there can be failures and challenges when we set the service in motion.

The decision to create the new signaling system was made in 2009 and is not expected to be completed until 2033. Here, Banedanmark is carrying out track work and electrification on the railway tracks around Langå Station in August 2024. (Photo: © Bo Amstrup, Ritzau Scanpix)

Mads Søndergaard also says that Banedanmark had a large team of technicians ready in case problems occurred during the expansion and updating of the signaling system.

- We are well aware that when we perform system updates or expand the area where the system operates, there can be some errors. Therefore, we have an expanded team ready, which we call Hypercare, when we put the new system into operation, says Mads Søndergaard.

But the signaling failure has proven to be so extensive on Sunday that it has been necessary to put more people in place for the fault finding. According to Banedanmark, there are people in Denmark, Germany, and Romania who are trying to analyze their way to the system failure.

How sure are you that train service will resume again at 12 noon on Monday if you have not found the failure yet?

- That is the current forecast - that it is 12 noon on Monday morning. And so we are constantly evaluating the information we receive from those who are in the process of finding the fault. We have some leads now regarding where the failure is and what it consists of. But we have not found the problem yet. If we had it, we could solve it already now, says Mads Søndergaard from Banedanmark.

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