Aarhus Letbane, the administrator of the Aarhus light rail network, has decided to take over the task of operator directly, terminating the operating contract with Keolis Letbaner.
As a result, from December 2026, the Aarhus light rail network will return to public ownership, and Aarhus Letbane will be responsible for vehicle operation and traffic control, and will henceforth manage the entire light rail network.
The decision to take over operations internally is intended to create a more direct link between the activities carried out within and around the light rail network. At the same time, this change brings financial benefits for the network’s owners, the Midtjylland Region and Aarhus City Council.
“The purpose of taking over the operating activities internally is, among other things, to reduce the complexity of daily operations and clarify responsibilities. We have had a good collaboration with Keolis Letbaner over the years, but we found that the organisation of the network was too complex. We also believe that we can make operations more economically efficient by eliminating duplicate functions,” said Aarhus Letbane CEO Michael Borre.
Aarhus Letbane hopes that all employees will keep their jobs. This will be done under the same conditions, as the Act on the Status of Employees in the Event of Transfer of Undertakings will apply to this takeover.
“Every employee has essential skills that will remain important to the network after the transfer of tasks,” says Michael Borre, who looks forward to dialogue with Keolis Letbaner’s management and employees for a smooth transition.
Keolis has been operating the light rail network in Aarhus for the past eight years, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the Aarhus light rail, and “the organization of the network is ultimately a political decision, and we regret that there was no desire to put the task out to tender to ensure the best quality at the lowest cost,” said Thomas Friis Brændstrup, CEO of Keolis Letbaner.
A process is underway this year in which Keolis Letbaner will continue to perform the tasks, while their transfer, together with the employees, is to be planned.
According to the latest official data, more than 6.3 million passengers have chosen to travel on the light rail network, with a daily average of more than 20,000 passengers.
In December 2025, Aarhus Letbane signed a contract with Stadler for the delivery of eight Citylink trams, with an option for an order of 12 more vehicles.
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