Train travelers in Eastern Denmark will need to arm themselves with patience, as the long-awaited upgrade of the train service is now expected to be fully implemented in 2033. This is three years later than the originally planned date in 2030, which will especially affect passengers on the Coast Line and the stretch between Roskilde and Copenhagen. Banedanmark, which is responsible for the maintenance and development of the railway network, has announced a new timetable showing that the rollout of the new signaling system, provided by Alstom, has been delayed. Construction Director Peter Jonasson from Banedanmark explains that the delay is due to an underestimation of the schedule on Alstom’s part. “Alstom has a signaling system that works, but the installation is taking longer than expected,” he says. The signaling system is essential for safety on the railways as it controls track switches and level crossings, as well as regulates train speed and movements.
The delay will especially be felt on the Coast Line and the stretch between Roskilde and Copenhagen, where the upgrade is now expected to be completed in 2033, five years later than initially assumed. Other stretches on Funen and Zealand will also experience delays of up to two years. Despite the option to change suppliers during the process, Banedanmark has chosen to continue with Alstom. “Changing suppliers would require a comprehensive redesign of the system and could potentially lead to further delays and costs,” explains Jonasson. He adds that Alstom has taken responsibility for the additional costs incurred due to the delays. The total finances of the project and any additional bills have not yet been disclosed, but it is clear that the delay will have consequences for the many daily users of the affected train routes.