Huge deficit on DSB vending trolleys
29. jan. 2013 13.57 EnglishOver the past nine years, DSB's food and drink trolley service has accumulated a deficit of nearly DKK 1 billion. Danish State Railways is now considering phasing out the vending service on a number of routes, according to Danish daily BT.
A statement from the Ministry of Transport shows that since 2004, when the state railways took over operation of the vending trolleys, DSB has suffered an annual shortfall of between DKK 86 and 115 million. Including figures from 2012, DSB have accumulated a deficit of around DKK 925 million on the trolley service.
Need to discontinue more trolleys
Anette Haugaard, deputy director of DSB, revealed that wages for the vending staff is the major reason for the losses. One year's salary for selling coffee and sandwiches in DSB trains is DKK 475,000, and staffing all the trolley service costs the company around DKK 100 million a year.
Member of the Transport Committee Martin Geertsen (L) has described the massive expense as, 'messing about with the taxpayers' money'.
DSB's total debt currently stands at DKK 17.55 billion.