Copenhagen leaders push for ban on party buses amid noise complaints

In Copenhagen, party buses filled with revelers have become a common sight on weekends, creating disturbances for residents in the city center. Local community leaders and a city mayor are calling for a ban on these vehicles. Bent Lohmann, chair of the Inner City Local Committee, expressed concern about the noise and disruptive behavior associated with the buses, which can drop off groups of 50 to 70 people late at night. He noted instances of public urination and a lack of compliance with nightlife regulations, suggesting that the presence of intoxicated individuals in moving vehicles poses safety risks.

Copenhagen’s Children and Youth Mayor, Jakob Næsager, shares similar sentiments, stating that party buses offer no real value to the city and advocating for their removal in favor of established nightclubs that provide proper facilities. He proposed legal measures that could impose requirements for seating and safety belts on party buses, which currently, due to regulations set before October 1, 1999, do not require passengers to wear seatbelts.

Janni Agerbak, director of Copenhagen Partybus, defended the buses, acknowledging the noise complaints but highlighting that many other noisy events already occur in the city. She emphasized that noise is a general issue in urban settings and suggested rules that would limit the use of open-top buses.

In contrast, Denmark’s second and third-largest cities, Aarhus and Odense, report minimal issues with party buses, viewing them as a positive aspect of youth culture. Local officials in these cities stated there have been few complaints or disturbances related to party buses, showing that the issue may not be uniformly experienced across Denmark.