Keolis Selected as Preferred Operator to Operate a Second Light Rail Contract in Denmark
On November 29, Keolis was selected by Odense Letbane to operate and maintain the new light rail network of Odense, which is now the second in Denmark. This 14.5 km-long network includes 26 stations and is planned to open by the end of 2020. This new project reinforces Keolis’ presence in Denmark where it is currently the operator of the country’s first light rail network (Aarhus) and so reinforces its position as an international leader in tram operations.
On 29 November 2018, 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 a cumulative revenue of approximately 230 million euros. This new network is 14.5 km long 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.
A sustainable shared mobility solution to make the city of Odense a more liveable, healthier and attractive environment
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 centre 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.
“We are pleased to be involved in the opening of Denmark’s second light rail network, which will make the city of Odense an even more attractive place to live and work. Our global expertise in developing networks from ‘greenfield’ sites proved relevant and important in this bid. We now look forward to our collaboration with Odense Letbane and to bringing our international experience and expertise in support of this exciting project over the coming years,” said Bernard Tabary, International CEO Keolis.
Keolis reinforces its presence in Denmark and its position as leader in tram operations
Keolis has been in Denmark since 2007 and operates around 500 buses in more than 10 cities and Aarhus light rail, the first network of the country since December 2017. Keolis Denmark counts over 1,500 employees.
Keolis is responsible for 24 tram networks (975,5km of track)¹ around the world:
- 13 networks in France (Angers, Bordeaux, Besançon, Brest, Caen, Dijon, Le Mans, Lille, Lyon, Orléans, Paris region, Strasbourg et Tours)
- 6 international networks: Aarhus (Denmark), Bergen (Norway), Gold Coast and Melbourne (Australia), Nottingham and Manchester (UK)
- 5 networks soon to be launched: Newcastle (Australia), Lusail (Qatar), Waterloo (Canada), Shanghai (China) and now in Odense (Denmark).
