The M3 line opening celebrated with a big party and free transport
Facts about the M3 line
- The M3 line is the city's new M3 metro line, which with 17 new stations will connect Vesterbro, Frederiksberg, Nørrebro, Østerbro and Indre By.
- The M3 line is the largest single construction project in the 400 years since Christian IV built Christianshavn. The contracts to build the M3 line were signed in 2011.
- The M3 line will run driverless and 24 hours a day, just like the existing Metro, with a maximum of three minutes between departures during rush hour.
- When the M3 line opens, nine out of the 10 most used stations in Denmark will have a metro station.
- With the M3 line and the upcoming metro lines to Nordhavn (2020) and Sydhavn (2024), Copenhagen will have 24 new metro stations.
- From 2024, the capital will have 44 metro stations connecting large parts of the city.
After eight years of metro construction, the M3 line M3 opens on Sunday 29 September. With the capital's new Metro line, public transport will get a significant boost, and the Metro's passenger numbers are expected to double to 122 million already in 2020. The opening of the new, interconnected Metro network will be marked with a large public celebration, an opening ceremony and free transport for Metro customers.
Work on building the M3 line's 17 new metro stations and testing the operation of the driverless trains is now very close to completion. This means that the largest single construction project in Copenhagen in 400 years is almost complete, and the thousands of passengers who have been waiting patiently can finally start using the new, unified metro network.
‘When the M3 line opens, we can suddenly whizz underground to work, family and friends with sustainable public transport that ties the city together even better. It will change the everyday lives of Copenhageners forever - and pave the way for an even greener capital. I'm looking forward to celebrating this historic day with a big party,’ says Copenhagen's Lord Mayor Frank Jensen (S)
On Sunday 29 September, the M3 line will be inaugurated with a big celebration at Rådhuspladsen. The party starts at 13:00 with a live concert on the big stage, where a number of Danish artists will provide the music. Everyone is welcome to the event. The opening ceremony itself begins at 2pm with a special opening show focusing on how Copenhagen will be transformed when the 17 new metro stations open. HM The Queen has agreed to attend the opening ceremony. The Metroselskabet's owners will also be present.
At 3pm, the M3 line will be declared open and all customers will be able to travel freely throughout the entire metro system - both the existing lines and the new M3 line M3 Cityringen - throughout the day on 29 September. During the first few hours, there may be some waiting time as there is expected to be a lot of interest in seeing the new stations. Staff will therefore be on hand to handle and assist customers.
I am very much looking forward to the opening of the M3 line after eight years of metro construction. The new metro system is expected to reduce congestion and create new transport hubs that will ensure a stronger and more efficient public transport network in the capital. The construction of the Metro is a huge win - not only for those living in the city - but also for commuters, tourists and other visitors,
The M3 line will make it quick and easy for customers to travel between Vesterbro, Frederiksberg, Nørrebro, Østerbro and the city centre. At three new stations it will be possible to change to S-trains, linking the Metro, buses, S-trains and regional trains even more closely together.
In Frederiksberg, the opening of the 17 new metro stations will also be marked with festivities and entertainment for the whole family at Frederiksberg Station. Here you can experience children's theatre, music, magic and acrobatics.
‘With the M3 line, we're going from a metro line to an actual metro network. It will change the entire way we use the city and leave its mark on city life for many years to come. With three very beautiful metro stations, the rest of the capital will be more closely linked to Frederiksberg. I look forward to opening the M3 line for children and adults and giving future generations a sustainable means of transport that contributes enormously to Frederiksberg's high climate ambitions,’ says Frederiksberg Mayor, Simon Aggesen (K).
Before the M3 line can open, the final regulatory approval must be in place to authorise passenger traffic. The authorisation is granted when the authorities deem that the basis is good enough to grant a safety approval and is granted after many thousands of tests of the new system. The safety authorisation is not expected to be obtained until shortly before the opening date. Regardless of how well the trial operation has gone, however, irregularities in operations can be expected in the first few months when customers enter the metro system.