A former LS Busser driver has told DR that the company never asked for his children’s certificate, even though he transported vulnerable children. The same reporting notes that LS Busser is now halting its flex driving.
Steffen Elkjær worked for the flex operator for a few weeks several years ago. He came forward after watching the Kontant program “De fynske flex-konger” last week, DR reported on September 3.
According to Elkjær, LS Busser never requested his børneattest, the Danish criminal record check required for work involving children. He says he could have had a conviction for child sexual abuse without the company knowing. He states that he drove vulnerable children and raised the issue with management.
Elkjær also describes vehicles in poor condition. He mentions a cabin that filled with fumes, a defective side door he was told to hold shut with a strap, and broken air conditioning. He says ash and cigarette smell in the cars bothered patients.
On one day he drove three different vehicles, per his account to DR. He says the brakes failed while he was driving at 130 kilometers per hour on the motorway. According to Elkjær, he called management and was told to continue driving.
At the company address in Odense, he says a Maserati was regularly parked in the garage or workshop. He states that workshop space was also used on a private Mercedes with no connection to Flextrafik. He questioned that prioritization while, in his account, nearly every bus had problems.
Fynbus responds
DR obtained a response from Fynbus, which coordinates flex transport on Funen, where LS Busser has its business address. Customer and communications chief Martin Bødker Krogh wrote that the described conditions clearly conflict with the contract between the transport authority and the operator. He added that drivers who experience such conditions are always welcome to contact Fynbus, which will then investigate.
DR put Elkjær’s criticism to LS Busser, and the company did not respond. In the Kontant program, the then owner, Salah Salem Al-Badri, rejected claims of problems with vehicle maintenance.
On Wednesday evening, DR received a press release from LS Busser’s director and new owner, Omran Khaled Abdel Rahman. He stated that the company is suspending its driving for Midttrafik, Sydtrafik and Fynbus.
According to the director, the company’s working capital has been seized. He wrote that LS Busser no longer has the liquidity to pay wages, fuel, leasing and other necessary operating costs.
Abdel Rahman wrote that the company has been accused of many things in the media, but has focused on reliable driving for citizens. He stated that LS Busser wants to continue and meet its obligations to employees, citizens and partners, but cannot without access to its capital. He said he has no further comments to the press at this time.
