In the 1st half year of 2010 DSB had approximately 98 million customers, which is an increase of 3 per cent compared to the same period last year. The increase is the result of an aggressive strategy in Denmark, where improved punctuality in combination with a changed fare strategy and a number of new customer initiatives has resulted in more customers. In addition, DSB has seen an increase in customers in Sweden of 3 per cent and the recognition of the German operator VIAS.
Significantly more trains on time
In Long distance & Regional trains, the number of delays fell by 3.5 percentage points compared to the 2nd quarter of 2009. The development is a result of a focussed effort to improve punctuality, including the ongoing activities concerning the IC3 train sets. The number of delays in S-tog increased by 0.5 percentage point compared to the 2nd quarter of 2009. In the 2nd quarter of 2010 both S-tog and Long distance & Regional trains have seen fewer delays than the targets set in the traffic contracts.
DSB continues to win market shares on Storebælt
Compared to the private car DSB has won market shares in each one of the latest 8 quarters. In the 1st half year of 2010 the total market for journeys across Storebælt was unchanged compared to 2009. The market share of cars declined by 3 per cent, while the number of train customers increased by approximately 2 per cent. Thus DSB's market share increased to 27 per cent compared to 26 per cent in the 1st half year of 2009.
Acquisition of VIAS
In March DSB acquired 50 per cent of the German operator VIAS GmbH. The company has been recognised in the accounts and the key figures as from 1 April 2010.
Profit before tax totalled DKK 183 million
The DSB Group's pre-tax profits totalled DKK 183 million (DKK 185 million) in the 1st half year of 2010, which is on a par with the expected. The result is achieved in spite of track works, including temporary track closures on the S-train network, operating expenses as a consequence of the severe winter weather and a continued increased effort to improve customer initiatives under the change programme point 2010. The increased customer initiatives have resulted in more customers, but have also entailed increased expenses in DSB. In addition, the result in the 1st half year of 2009 was positively affected by non-recurring items. The result in 2010 is in turn positively affected by the compensation from AnsaldoBreda and decreasing financial expenses, which i.a. are owing to a lower general interest level and fewer liabilities.
IC4 delivery continues to follow time schedule
At the end of June 2010 DSB has taken delivery of 24 IC4 train sets. From January 2010 the IC4 is also in operation in the nonstop services between Copenhagen and Århus. On 16 August 2010, this traffic will increase from 4 to 6 daily departures, and will thus include the IC4 train sets in the ordinary timetable with 98 weekly departures.
Status on image
In addition to the increase in the number of customers, improved punctuality and new product initiatives have also had a positive effect on DSB's reputation (Reputation Institute's image survey). Thus, in the 2nd quarter of 2010, DSB's reputation has increased to 63.2 in June. However, DSB will continue to focus on maintaining the high score for the rest of the year.
Track works on the S-train network
Extensive track works are being carried out in 2010 on the S-train network. In the 2nd quarter of 2010 the track works primarily comprise changing tracks on the Hillerød Line. These track works are expected to be completed on 27 September.
Increasing productivity continues
Compared to the 1st half year of 2009 DSB has seen an increase in productivity. The number of train journeys per employee increased by approximately 1 per cent and the number of train kilometres per employee by 3 per cent.
DSBFirst/Kystbanen
In the 1st half year of 2010 DSBFirst's Danish operator punctuality reached 97.5 per cent, while the Swedish operator punctuality was 99.86 per cent. However, the customer experienced punctuality has been unsatisfactory over a long period. The new timetable, which became effective from the middle of August, and a number of other initiatives are expected to improve punctuality on the Danish section in the 2nd half year of 2010.
Point 2010
The objectives in the change programme Point 2010 have been achieved. At the end of the 2nd quarter DSB has seen an increase in customers of 4 per cent, gained more than 60 million international customers from 2011, with the new operations abroad, identified potential efficiency enhancements totalling DKK 400 million, reaching full effect in 2011, and finally achieved a reputation score of 60. DSB will continue to work based on the ambitions in Point 2010 focussing on precision, initiatives for the benefit of our customers and products and efficiency enhancements.
Expectations to pre tax profit in 2010
Profits before tax are still expected to be in the region of DKK 450 million.
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