Keolis to operate 2nd light rail contract in Denmark

Keolis, through its subsidiary Keolis Odense Letbane, was named preferred operator for both the operation and the maintenance of the new light rail network in the city of Odense. Odense is the third largest city of Denmark and has a population of 200,000.

The 15-year contract will generate cumulative revenue of approximately $260 million. The new network is approximately nine miles and includes 26 stations and is expected to open for operation by the end of 2020. Odense Letbane, the public transport authority, is expected to confirm their decision in the following days with the signing of the contract to follow before Christmas.

The new Odense light rail network will link Tarup located in the north of the city to Hjallese in the south with a 42 minutes journey. It will run through the city center and serve the central train station, the international homeware retailer Ikea and Odense university.

The 16 Stadler trams to be used, each with a capacity for 210 people, are expected to carry 12 million passengers a year. It is also hoped that the new light rail service will slow the growth of car use in Odense and the surrounding region, in support of the local sustainability agenda.