With the award of a major contract to a consortium comprising Siemens Mobility and Stadler Rail, Danish State Railways (DSB) has taken a decisive step towards a fundamental modernisation of the Copenhagen S-train network. The contract covers the supply of at least 226 new electric S-trains as well as their maintenance over a period of 30 years and has a total value of approximately DKK 23 billion, equivalent to around €3 billion. This represents one of the largest single procurement projects in Scandinavian urban rail transport in recent decades and forms the basis for the full automation of Denmark’s most important suburban rail system.
The new vehicles are designed for fully automated operation without a driver, corresponding to automation grade GoA 4. In doing so, the S-train system will in future follow the same operational principle as the Copenhagen Metro, which has been successfully automated for many years, albeit on a significantly larger scale and on a conventional railway network. The decision in favour of full automation is closely linked to the transport policy objectives of the Danish government and the Capital Region, which envisage a substantial expansion of rail services as part of long-term infrastructure programmes.
From a technical perspective, the new S-trains will be four-car electric multiple units with a total length of around 56 m and a maximum speed of 120 km/h. Each train will provide 156 seats and additional generous multi-purpose areas accommodating up to 16 bicycles as well as two wheelchair spaces. The vehicles are fully low-floor, allowing level boarding at all stations across the network. For peak-hour operation, up to three units can be coupled to form longer trains with correspondingly higher capacity.
The interior layout follows a flexible design concept with wide doors, open multi-purpose zones and various seating arrangements, including work areas with tables. High-performance air conditioning, modern passenger information systems and comprehensive CCTV coverage form part of the standard specification, alongside advanced safety systems specifically tailored to driverless operation. Automation also requires close integration between the rolling stock and the signalling and control systems, an area in which Siemens Mobility contributes extensive experience from international projects.
The long-term maintenance agreement over 30 years is a central element of the procurement. It includes full technical responsibility for the fleet throughout its lifecycle and is intended to ensure high availability as well as predictable costs for DSB. At the same time, DSB’s own staff will continue to be involved in maintenance activities, while the consortium provides know-how, spare parts supply and overall system responsibility. This approach reflects the growing trend towards lifecycle-based procurement models in urban rail transport.
The introduction of fully automated trains is expected to deliver substantial operational benefits. On the busiest central sections of the S-train network, headways of up to 90 seconds are planned, while on the outer branches maximum intervals of 7.5 minutes are targeted during peak periods. Overall, DSB anticipates service increases of up to 35% on selected lines. This is particularly significant in light of rising passenger demand: more than 110 million passengers already use the S-train network annually, which serves as the backbone of public transport in the Copenhagen metropolitan area.
The implementation schedule is long-term. From 2032, the first fully automated trains are scheduled to enter passenger service initially on Line F, the orbital route between København Syd and Hellerup. In subsequent years, automated operation will be progressively rolled out across the entire network, with full transition expected to extend into the late 2030s. In parallel, extensive adaptations to infrastructure, signalling technology and operational organisation will be required.
We reported about the signalling project here:
With this project, Copenhagen is positioning itself internationally as a pioneer in the automation of large suburban rail systems. While driverless metro systems are now well established worldwide, the full automation of a heavily used, branched mainline railway network with complex junctions represents a particular technical and operational challenge. For Siemens Mobility and Stadler, the contract constitutes another important reference in a strategically significant market; for DSB and the region, it offers the opportunity to secure long-term capacity, reliability and attractiveness of public transport.
14.01.2026
