Siemens and Stadler automate all rail transport in the Danish capital

The Siemens Mobility and Stadler Rail consortium has won one of the largest European railway development projects in recent years , according to zdopravy.cz. The project involves the complete automation of Copenhagen's 170-kilometre-long S-Bane suburban network with driverless trains. The €2.16 billion contract includes the manufacture and delivery of 226 self-driving trains for the Danish state railway, including 30 years of maintenance.

The first new vehicles will enter service in 2032 and will be capable of GoA4 level driverless operation. The new units will consist of four carriages and will be 56 metres long, providing 156 seats and a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

On certain routes, the number of flights may increase by up to 35%.

The consortium is led by Siemens, which is responsible for the running gear, braking systems, electrical equipment and power supply, as well as the control and information systems. Stadler supplies the frames, connectors, interior space and doors. They are also responsible for final assembly.

As a precursor to this project, Siemens was awarded a €270 million contract in 2024 to automate the S-Bane, including the installation of new trains.

DSB expects automation to shorten the intervals between trains. This will significantly increase capacity, with the number of services on some lines increasing by up to 35%. The Copenhagen S-Bahn is used by approximately 112 million people annually, and the new trains will enable an additional 10 million passengers to be transported each year.