Copenhagen metro O&M contract awarded

COPENHAGEN metro authority Metroselskabet has selected KBH Metro Partner to operate and maintain the city’s 43km four-line metro network under a DKr 17bn ($US 2.64bn) contract that will run from September 2027 to 2039.

The contract, which includes an option for a three-year extension, was awarded following an international procurement process that attracted seven applications for prequalification, of which three bidders were shortlisted. Following initial and revised bids and negotiations, Metroselskabet selected KBH Metro Partner on the basis of an overall assessment of price and quality.

KBH Metro Partner brings together Paris transport operator RATP and its international subsidiary, RATP Dev along with SBS Transit Rail of Singapore, ComfortDelGro Irish Citylink and Westbus Coach Services, Britain.

The new operator will be responsible for maintaining the metro’s high operational performance, which averaged 99.3% in 2025. The network serves 44 stations and carried a record 135 million passengers last year, with trains operating at intervals of as little as 90 seconds on the entirely automated driverless network at peak periods.

“The metro has a very high operational stability at more than 99% today and we are committed to maintaining this standard and building upon it,” says Søren Boysen, Metroselskabet’s director of operation and maintenance.

The contract also provides for extensive renewal work on the M1 and M2 lines, including technical installations and signalling systems. Metroselskabet says the successful bidder was required to demonstrate experience in operating, maintaining and modernising automated metro systems.

The agreement includes revised workflows and a clearer division of responsibilities. Metroselskabet will also take responsibility for selling metro advertising, which was previously handled by the operator.

A transition and mobilisation programme will now begin involving Metroselskabet, the incumbent operator Metro Service and KBH Metro Partner. The contract is expected to be signed in September following the statutory standstill period.