the Extra Leaf in the course of the last few days been reporting on the consequences of that Movia has removed the printed information from the bus stops on the island of Zealand – for the inconvenience to both the country’s older citizens and tourists.
But it is not only out at the different stops, Movia decision is met with frustration.
Also in byrrådssalene around on Zealand examines kommunalpolitikerne in these days, how they will continue to be able to offer the local citizens a proper service, now, when the Movia no longer will do it.
– It is utterly hopeless, that you can not see where the buses go, says Jakob Næsager on Movia decision to remove the information printed by the liberal bus stops. Photo: Kenneth Meyer
One of the kommunalpolitikere, who is strongly against the Movia decision – and who are now taking matters into their own hands, Jacob Næsager, member of Copenhagen city council for the conservatives.
– I think it is extremely arrogant, and lacking in the level focus on users. And it goes not only beyond the older citizens, for if I stand on Vesterbro Square, is the poor service that I should stand and turn as many things up before I can get on a bus, says the conservative local politician’s considerations, which indicate that the city of Copenhagen even be able to pay for to get hung information printed up.
– When it is the city of Copenhagen’s bus stops, so we must decide what we hang up on them. Movia saves 1.6 million dollars per year, and if you are thinking of a very small part of the amount relates to the city of Copenhagen, so it would hardly cost very much money, if the municipality even put the routes up at the different stops, says Jakob Næsager, which is far from standing alone with his dissatisfaction.
It shows a rundringning, Ekstra Bladet has made among kommunalpolitikere in a number of liberal municipalities, despite the different hjemkommuner and political affiliations, could agree on that Movia has made a mistake.
– Movia has an obligation to inform citizens at bus stops, also the groups who are not so accustomed to using a smartphone. It may well be that it economically makes sense, if you look quite carefully at the figures, but it is not safe, to get the citizens ‘ perspective, that can also provide value. But of course we will really like to help keep the cost down for Movia.
– I think yes, it is sad that Movia has chosen the solution, for there are plenty of older people who are not comfortable with the digital solutions yet. I think that this solution has come just a few years too early. I am sorry of their decision, and I have also expressed internally in our municipality, to find out what we can do about it. I have been told that our options are limited. In the Tårnby Municipality, we have chosen to send a letter where we write that we consider it regrettable that you have chosen the solution.
– We (the local council) talked about it yesterday, and the attitude was that we should have it up to the board of directors of the Movia. The decision was not surprising, for usually, when you have a contract with a company, then expect you to have one or another dialogue, if something gets changed. There has not been any involvement. And when you have turned have been told that if Køge municipality will pay, then they could just even put them up. It is I, to put it mildly, very unhappy with.
the Councillor and chairman of the Technical Committee of the Lolland Municipality, Gert Mortensen (P). Press photo: Lolland Municipality
– In our committee we have got inquiry from Ældreraadet, who also have contacted Movia directly with their enquiry. We have also discussed about the local council must do the same, but we have not made a final decision. I think that with time we should be able to cope with the electronic, just like the Movia is also touched on, but we must take it more gradually, so we don’t remove everything all at once.
Extra Magazine has called Movia communication director, Camilla Strukmann, in order to get a response to criticism from kommunalpolitikerne.
– In the more liberal municipalities looking so seriously at the abolition of the printed information at the bus stops, to explore the possibilities of self-finance, printed information at bus stops to ensure that citizens receive a proper service. Make it an impression on you?
– It makes an impression on me, when the citizens experience new digital initiatives as a deterioration. Therefore, it is also a part of Movia member of the boards decision to the municipalities for a transitional period of two years to finance and set up roadmaps on selected servicelinjer. The municipalities are informed by letter of 30 november last year.
– do you Think it is in order, now, when the municipalities actually are co-owners of the Movia?
– Yes. Movia board of directors consists precisely of the municipal and regionspolitikere and is chosen by the Movia of governors. It is Movia task on behalf of the community, among other things, to ensure consistent traffic information in the whole of the liberal geography.