Copenhagen is facing a significant change in its metro network. This weekend will be the last one where citizens and tourists will experience the shutdown of metro lines M3 and M4, but it’s for a good reason: preparing for a major network expansion. From Saturday night at three o’clock and 41 hours onward, the metro lines will be inaccessible to the public. This period will be used to implement necessary system updates ahead of the opening of the new line that will connect Sydhavn and Valby with the rest of the capital. This expansion is scheduled to start operating on June 22.
Eva Lind, head of customer and operations at the Metro Company, explains that this update can be compared to a software update on a computer. “When we reopen on Sunday, the system will be ready for the Sydhavn line to be connected,” she says. Although the system will theoretically be ready, there will be a period where staff will have the opportunity to practice and become familiar with the new lines.
The decision to close the metro during the Pentecost weekend is strategic, as experiences from last year show fewer travelers during these days. This gives the Metro Company a unique opportunity to carry out the work with minimal disruption. However, there are expectations that there will be an increased number of travelers as early as Monday, when the Royal Run takes place in Copenhagen.
“We know there is the Royal Run on Monday, but we are prepared. So, you can be completely confident that we will be running again from Sunday evening,” assures Eva Lind. This Pentecost shutdown marks the final major preparation before the official approval from the authorities to put the new metro line into operation.
During this test period, employees will also be trained to perform correct procedures, adhere to timetables, and handle unexpected situations. When the metro extension officially opens, King Frederik will be in charge of the inauguration. With the addition of the five new stations, the total metro network will consist of 44 stations spread over 43 kilometers of track.
Line M4 will then run from Copenhagen South at the Ny Ellebjerg S-train station to Orientkaj in Nordhavn, significantly improving accessibility and mobility for many Copenhageners and visitors in the city.