Celebrations mark the completion of København’s orbital light rail line

Celebrations mark the completion of København’s orbital light rail line DENMARK: København’s 28 km orbital light rail line between Ishøj and Lundtofte was completed with the opening on August 22 of the second phase which runs 14.9 km north from Rødovre Nord to Lundtofte. The inaugural service carrying invited guests left Rødovre Nord at 10.30 and travelled north along the extension to ribbon-cutting ceremonies at some of the 17 new stops. Passenger services were progressively introduced as the inaugural tram advanced, with full operations in both directions underway by 11.30. The main celebrations took place at Gladsaxe Rådhus, where the official ceremony was combined with a wider public festival. Travel was free throughout the opening day, when around 50 000 people were carried. ‘The capital region got its full-length light rail’, said Hanne Tærsbøl Schmidt, director of local authority owned project promoter Hovedstadens Letbane (capital city light rail). ‘This is the result of close and long-term co-operation between the capital region, 11 municipal authorities and a wide range of contractors and partners. Now begins a new everyday life, where light rail will make it easier to get across the capital.’ Orbital link The line largely follows the O3 ring road to provide an orbital link between the capital’s suburbs. It serves residential areas, workplaces, hospitals, educational institutions and public transport hubs, removing the need for many passengers to travel through the city centre. Mayor of Gladsaxe Serdal Benli said the tramway would connect the entire capital city together and help reduce noise and road congestion by encouraging more people to use public transport. Construction Construction began in 2018, with the works divided into five geographical packages. The northern section covered three packages, with Per Aarsleff and CG Jensen among the main contractors. The project was initially budgeted at approximately DKr5.1bn, but rising costs required a revision and the final approved budget reached DKr9.3bn, including reserves. The national government contributed 40%, the municipalities 34% and the capital region 26%. Siemens Mobility, in a consortium with general infrastructure contractor Aarsleff Rail, provided the electrification, signalling, communications, depot equipment and project management and system integration services, and will provide 15 years of maintenance. Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group installed track as sub-contractor to Aarsleff Rail. Siemens Mobility has supplied 29 four-section Avenio light rail vehicles which are 36.9 m long with a capacity of 260 passengers, including 64 seated; an initial order for 27 vehicles was followed by an option for two. A 15-year operations and maintenance contract was awarded to Metro Services, the subsidiary of Milano transport operator ATM which also operates the København metro. Operations The 13.1 km first phase of the line opened between Ishøj and Rødovre Nord with 12 stops on October 26 2025. Services now operate every 10 min off peak, increasing to every 5 to 8 min at peak times, and the end-to-end journey over the full route takes 58 min. After a running-in period of three to six months, the frequency is expected to increase to every 5 min during the day. Bicycles can be carried. The line is expected to carry around 14 million passengers/year by 2030. See also - København tramway opens to make it faster and more comfortable to get around - København light rail contractors selected - København city map - Hovedstadens Letbane (København) Subscribe to gain access to all news Already have a subscription? Log in. Choose your subscription Considering a corporate subscription? Contact us to find out more.