53 years after the last tram ran in the Danish capital (1972), the first stage of a new light rail line in the western suburbs was opened at 11.00 on 26 October, with free travel for passengers. The first 13.1km of the line links Ishøj station and Rødovre Nord with further rail interchange at Vallensbaek and Glostrup. A 10-minute service (eight minutes at peaks) is provided using some of the 29 Siemens Avenio low-floor trams delivered from their factory in Serbia. The remainder of the 28km line, running further north from Rødovre to Lundtofte via Herlev and Lyngby, should open in late spring 2026 and could be carrying 14M passengers/year by 2031. The budget for the standard-gauge line is DKK 6.2bn (EUR 831M). Copenhagen joins Aarhus and Odense in re-introducing Danish tramways.
Lars Gaardhøj, Chairman of the Regional Council of the Capital Region, said ‘It is historic that we can now open a completely new light rail system that will make a noticeable difference for thousands of citizens in the capital region. The letbane will be a strong link between cities, workplaces and educational institutions. At the same time it will make it significantly easier for patients, relatives and employees to get to Rigshospitalet Glostrup (and to Herlev Hospital next year). I am proud that we in the Capital Region, in close collaboration with 11 municipalities and with government support, have realised a joint project that will positively impact citizens’ everyday lives for many years to come’.
Copenhagen’s first-generation tramway ran from 1863 until 1972. Most of the 100 new Düwag trams bought in the 1960s can still be seen running in Alexandria, Egypt.
Easy access to Copenhagen’s new low-floor trams. (HT)
Share this post: