Greatest increase for Øresund Bridge since 2008

Traffic is moving smoothly over the Øresund Bridge. Photo: News Øresund – Johan Wessman.

The tide has turned for the Øresund Bridge. Traffic is increasing more than it has in six years, and profits before value change were up by 144 million Danish crowns in the year’s first nine months.

An increase in traffic over the Øresund Bridge this significant has not been seen since 2008. In the first nine months of 2014, road traffic was up by 3.6%. According to calculations by Øresundsbro Konsortiet (‘the Øresund Bridge Consortium’ – the Swedish-Danish company that owns the bridge), the past summer’s train strike contributed to two percentage units of the increase. But even despite the effects of the strike, the increase is the most significant one seen since 2008.

Primarily summer and autumn have boosted traffic over the Øresund Bridge. Leisure traffic is increasing significantly; to date, it is up by 7.7% (108 283 passengers) in 2014 with BroPass, a leisure agreement for private customers. Bus traffic is enjoying the greatest lift – this year alone, it has increased by almost 28%. The decrease in commuter traffic has also begun its retreat, and freight traffic is up by 4.9%. According to Øresundsbro Konsortiet, the bridge is the path of choice for 52.8% of the freight market over the Øresund.

Road revenues have increased this year, but an adjustment tying to the cost-of-living index has resulted in decreased revenue from train traffic over the bridge. The Bridge Consortium’s total revenues have increased by 51 million to 1 340 million Danish crowns (DKK) in the first nine months of 2014. Interest and other financial costs have decreased by 88 million DKK; this is due to lower interest rates and a decrease by 922 million DKK in interest-bearing debt since Jan. 1^st. Before value change, the result had increased by 144 million DKK for a profit of 640 million between January and September. (News Øresund)