In the 1st half year of 2008 DSB recorded 85.8 million passengers. This is an increase of 2.8 million passengers corresponding to an increase of 3 per cent compared to the same period in 2007. The positive development is primarily due to more journeys in the East segment and across the Øresund. For the first time in several years DSB has also seen a growth in the number of S-train passengers. DSB's profit before tax totalled DKK 432 million, which is an in-crease of DKK 63 million compared to the same period last year. The result is in accordance with expectations.

Passenger revenues increased by 5 per cent

Passenger revenues totalled DKK 2,234 million, which is an increase of DKK 114 million or 5 per cent compared with the 1st half year of 2007. The in-crease is primarily attributable to an increase in the sale of journeys in the East segment and an increase in traffic across the Øresund. Furthermore, DSB has seen growth in S-train journeys.

Profit before depreciation and write-downs increased by 6 per cent

The increase can primarily be ascribed to increased passenger revenues and profit from the sale of land and buildings. This is offset by decreasing revenues from traffic contracts and a generally increased cost level as a result of increased production volume, higher staff costs and higher energy prices.

Significant improvement in punctuality

Punctuality for both long-distance and regional trains and S-trains improved significantly in the 1st half year of 2008. The number of delays has thus been reduced by more than 30 per cent in long-distance and regional trains and by more than 15 per cent in S-trains. The reduction in the number of delays is due to a number of initiatives to improve operation stability, including in-creased rolling stock stability. Furthermore, the quality of the infrastructure has met expectations.

IC4 status

In May 2008, DSB presented Ansaldobreda with an ultimatum, which stated that by May 2009, Ansaldobreda must have delivered one type approved and contractually conform IC4 train, which can be commissioned in coupled mode into national traffic, and 14 IC4 trains, which can be commissioned as single operating train sets in national traffic. Should Ansaldobreda fail to observe the deadline for delivery stated in the ultimatum, the contracts for both the IC4 and the IC2 train sets will be cancelled.                                                                                                                                              
In July 2008, Trafikstyrelsen granted DSB approval to commission two IC4 train sets as single operating train sets in national traffic with passengers, and DSB commissioned the first IC4 train set in national traffic with passengers on 7 August 2008.

Expectations to profits before tax in 2008 maintained

Expectations to profits before tax in 2008 are maintained and expected to be in the region of DKK 750 million including sale of fixed assets.