Major overhaul of Denmark’s railway system impacts commuters in North Jutland

A major overhaul is underway in Denmark’s railway system as the country prepares for the introduction of new electric trains, the renewal of tracks, and the replacement of outdated signaling systems. This extensive renovation across the nation is expected to impact many passengers significantly, according to Peter Svendsen, the traffic director at Banedanmark.

“This historic upgrade of the railway is undoubtedly presenting numerous challenges for many passengers during these years,” he stated.

Currently, commuters in North Jutland are feeling the effects of this renovation firsthand. There have been no trains operating between Aalborg and Hjørring since July, with track work scheduled to be completed by October 7. Tine Bang Rasmussen, who commutes daily on this route, is frustrated by the disruption, spending nearly an hour and a half on a bus instead of the usual 35-minute train journey. “It’s a bit of a struggle compared to when I used to take the train. The buses are not exactly new, and if you’re lucky, there’s a seatbelt when the bus is on the highway,” she remarked.

Once the North Jutland track work is completed in early October, it will mark just the first phase of a larger project. Banedanmark anticipates that the full electrification of the railway will not be finished until 2029, while the replacement of the outdated signaling systems is expected to continue until 2033. In North Jutland, train services will be completely suspended during construction, while in other regions, trains will continue to operate in a single lane to mitigate disruptions.

For Tine Bang Rasmussen, she still faces a month before she can return to a train compartment instead of an old bus. “I just have to endure it, and I look forward to the trains running again so I can get home before it gets dark,” she added.