Rail Transport in Denmark OperationsRail Transport in Denmark OperationsUrban Rail Transport Urban rail transport in Denmark currently consists of one metro system in Copenhagen, two light rail systems in Aarhus and Odense and two commuter rail systems, the S-train in Copenhagen and the Aalborg Commuter Rail. The three largest cities of Copenhagen, Aarhus and Odense had tram networks in the 19th and 20th century, with the last tram line in Copenhagen being closed in 1972 when trams were replaced by buses and private cars, because they were considered an outdated form of transportation. the Greater Copenhagen Light Rail are the third light rail system in Denmark after Aarhus in 2017 and Odense in 2022 and is currently under construction and is expected to open in 2025. A rapid transit proposed for the Øresund metropolitan area, the Øresund Metro is also under discussion. Copenhagen Metro The Copenhagen Metro is an automated, 24-hour rapid transit system which serves Denmark's capital city, Copenhagen. It began operation in 2002. It is also the only rapid transit system in Denmark. As of March 2020, the system consists of four lines: M1, M2, M3 and M4. Planning of the Metro started in 1992 as part of the redevelopment plans for Ørestad with construction starting in 1996, and stage 1, from Nørreport to Vestamager and Lergravsparken, opened in 2002. Stage 2, from Nørreport to Vanløse, opened in 2003, followed by stage 3, from Lergravsparken to Lufthavnen, in 2007. The City Circle Line is an entirely underground 15.5 km loop through central Copenhagen and Frederiksberg with 17 stops. It does not share any track with the M1 and M2 lines, but intersect them at Kongens Nytorv and Frederiksberg stations. With the City loop opened, the Metro expects that its ridership should almost double from its 2016 levels to 116 million annual passengers. A fourth line, M4, will be developed into a separate line between 2020 and 2024, as extensions of the Cityringen to Nordhavn and Sydhavn open. The two-stop three-kilometre-long line to Nordhavn opened in March 2020. The extension adds an interchange with Nordhavn S-train station. The five-stop, 4.5 km, extension to Sydhavn is also under construction, with planned opening in 2024. The Sydhavn line will terminate at Ny Ellebjerg where it will create a new regional rail transport hub by connecting the metro system to the S-train network, regional trains, and long-distance trains on the current lines and the upcoming high speed Copenhagen-Ringsted railway. Once these extensions are complete, Metro expects the daily ridership to triple from its current level of 200,000 riders per weekday to 600,000 riders per weekday in 2030. Aarhus Light Rail The Aarhus Letbane (Aarhus light rail) is a light rail system in the city of Aarhus, Denmark. It is operated by the company Midttrafik. The first line opened in December 2017, but the system is under continuous development and expansion. Service on the intercity section Odder to Lisbjergskolen opened on 25 August 2018. A third intercity line to Grenå opened on 30 April 2019. More lines are being planned. On 8 May 2012, the Danish Parliament approved the construction of the first line, work to build Phase 1 commenced during September 2013. It was originally planned to open in August 2016, but this was delayed, in part due to legislative issues in relation to railway safety. Two types of rolling stock have been operated over the first line, conventional trams which are slower and restricted to only running along some parts of the route and hybrid tram-trains that can be operated on the conventional heavy rail network, the latter being used for the long-distance services. Rail Transport in Denmark Overview Rail Transport in Denmark National Railway: DSB Rail Transport in Denmark Infrastructure Company: Banedanmark Rail Transport in Denmark Major Operators: DSB DB Cargo Rail Transport in Denmark Ridership: 206,566,000 (2017) Rail Transport in Denmark Passenger km: 6.653 billion (2016) Rail Transport in Denmark Freight: 2.575 billion tkm (2016) Rail Transport in Denmark System Length Total: 2,633 km (1,636 mi) (2022) Rail Transport in Denmark Double Track: 1,098 km (682 mi) Rail Transport in Denmark Electrified: 964 km (599 mi) as of Jan 1st 2023 Rail Transport in Denmark Freight Only: 4 km (2.5 mi) Rail Transport in Denmark Track Gauge Main: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Rail Transport in Denmark Electrification: Main Arteries: 25 kV 50 Hz: 474 km (295 mi) (2023) 1650 V DC (S-train): 171 km (106 mi) (2023) 750 V DC (Metro): 38 km (24 mi) (2023) Light Rail (Aarhus, Odense, Copenhagen): 124 km (77 mi) (2023) Rail Transport in Denmark No. Stations: 567 (2022) | |||||
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