Copenhagen’s 28 km orbital light rail connecting Ishøj and Lundtofte was completed on August 22, 2026, with the opening of the second phase covering 14.9 km from Rødovre Nord to Lundtofte. The first phase opened on October 26, 2025, spanning 13.1 km between Ishøj and Rødovre Nord with 12 stops. On the inauguration day, around 50,000 passengers rode the line during free travel, with full bi-directional services operational by 11:30 after starting at 10:30.
Route and service coverage
The orbital light rail largely follows the O3 ring road, forming a link around Copenhagen’s suburban areas. The line serves residential neighbourhoods, workplaces, hospitals, educational institutions,
and key public transport hubs, allowing passengers to bypass travel through the city centre. The second phase added 17 new stops to the network, enhancing access across the capital’s outer districts.
Operations and passenger facilities
Services operate every 10 minutes during off-peak hours, increasing to between every 5 and 8 minutes at peak times. Following a running-in period of three to six months, operators expect to achieve a consistent five-minute frequency during the day. The end-to-end journey time across the entire 28 km route is 58 minutes. Bicycles are permitted on the light rail vehicles, providing additional convenience for passengers.
Construction and rolling stock
Construction of the orbital
line began in 2018 and was divided into five geographical packages. The northern section involved main contractors Per Aarsleff and CG Jensen. The initial budget of approximately DKr5.1bn was revised to a final figure of DKr9.3bn due to rising costs. Funding was provided by the national government (40%), municipalities (34%), and the capital region (26%). Siemens Mobility, partnered with Aarsleff Rail, supplied electrification, signalling, communications, depot equipment, project management, and system integration, and will maintain the line for 15 years. Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group handled track installation as a subcontractor. Twenty-nine four-section Siemens Avenio light rail vehicles, each 36.9 meters
long with capacity for 260 passengers (64 seated), serve the line.
Management and future expectations
Operations and maintenance are contracted to Metro Services, a subsidiary of the Milano-based operator ATM, which also manages Copenhagen’s metro system. The project was driven by collaboration among the capital region, 11 municipalities, and various contractors and partners. It aims to improve suburban connectivity and reduce car dependency. The light rail is forecast to carry around 14 million passengers annually by 2030.
Official statements
Hanne Tærsbøl Schmidt, director of the local authority project promoter Hovedstadens Letbane, described the completion as the capital region acquiring its full-length light rail and emphasized the
project’s foundation on extensive cooperation between regional and municipal authorities alongside contractors. Serdal Benli, Mayor of Gladsaxe, highlighted the project’s role in linking the entire capital and its potential to decrease noise and road congestion through increased public transport use.
