Aarhus Letbane Secures Direct Control Of Light Rail By 2026

The public transport authority Aarhus Letbane will assume direct operational control of the Aarhus light rail system in December 2026. This transition will conclude the current operating contract held by Keolis Letbaner. The network’s ownership is held jointly by the Midtjylland Region and the Aarhus City Council.

All staff employed by Keolis Letbaner are expected to be transferred to the new public operating entity. The process will be regulated by Denmark’s Act on the Status of Employees in the Event of Transfer of Undertakings. A formal transition plan is scheduled for development in 2024 while Keolis continues to manage daily services.

The decision transfers all responsibilities for vehicle operation and traffic control to Aarhus Letbane. According to Aarhus Letbane CEO Michael Borre, the objective is to establish a more direct connection between network activities and simplify accountability structures for improved financial efficiency.

The Aarhus light rail network currently serves more than 6.3 million passengers annually. The system’s daily average ridership exceeds 20,000 passengers. To support its operations, Aarhus Letbane has placed an order for eight Stadler Citylink trams, with delivery anticipated by December 2025. The procurement agreement includes an option for an additional 12 vehicles.

In response to the decision, Keolis Letbaner CEO Thomas Friis Brændstrup stated that the contract should have been subject to a competitive tender process. He asserted that such a process would have ensured the highest quality service at the lowest cost for the public authority.