ComfortDelGro tie-up with French firm RATP Dev to run Copenhagen metro from Sept 2027

ComfortDelGro Corporation (CDG) has announced a partnership with French transport company RATP Dev to manage the Copenhagen Metro starting from September 2027. The consortium, named KBH Metro Partner, will take over the operation and maintenance of all four lines of the city's metro system, beating out two other bidders in the tender process. The agreement, signed by Metroselskabet, the entity responsible for developing, constructing, and operating the Copenhagen metro, was officially disclosed on August 28. Metroselskabet stated that the selection of KBH Metro Partner was based on a comprehensive evaluation of both cost and quality. The contract, valued at 17 billion Danish kroner (approximately S$3.36 billion), is set to last for 12 years, with an optional extension period of three additional years. This marks a significant shift in the management of one of Europe’s most advanced metro systems. Copenhagen’s metro is among the few in the world that operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is fully automated and covers approximately 43 kilometers through 44 stations. In 2025, the system recorded its highest-ever passenger count, with 135 million rides, reflecting its popularity and efficiency. During that year, the metro achieved an average operational reliability rate of 99.3 percent, with trains running as frequently as every 1.5 minutes during peak times. According to Søren Boysen, director of operations and maintenance at Metroselskabet, the transition will focus on maintaining robust daily operations while laying the groundwork for future renewal projects on two of the older lines. He emphasized the importance of this move in accommodating the increasing number of passengers who rely on the metro as a swift and dependable transportation option. The consortium will undergo a transitional phase prior to assuming control from the current operator, Metro Service. Boysen noted that the goal is to ensure a seamless transition for passengers, preserving the metro’s reputation as a familiar, reliable, and efficient component of Copenhagen’s public transport network. This collaboration represents the third joint venture between ComfortDelGro and RATP Dev. Previously, in 2023, ComfortDelGro Transit secured a contract as part of an international consortium with RATP Dev and French train manufacturer Alstom to manage the southern segment of Paris' Line 15. Then, in November 2024, a partnership involving SBS Transit, a subsidiary of ComfortDelGro, and RATP Dev Asia Pacific, a division of RATP Dev, was appointed to operate the Jurong Region Line in Singapore. This marked the first instance of a foreign operator participating in Singapore’s rail industry. The Copenhagen Metro project underscores the growing trend of international cooperation in urban transit management. As cities worldwide seek to enhance their public transport infrastructure, partnerships between global firms are becoming increasingly common. The involvement of ComfortDelGro and RATP Dev in multiple high-profile metro contracts highlights their expanding influence in the field of urban mobility solutions. The transition is expected to involve detailed planning and coordination to ensure minimal disruption to services. Both companies have extensive experience in managing complex transit systems, which should contribute to the smooth execution of the new contract. With the Copenhagen Metro already demonstrating exceptional performance metrics, the new operators face the challenge of maintaining these standards while implementing necessary upgrades and improvements. The consortium will need to address several key areas, including modernizing aging infrastructure, enhancing service reliability, and integrating new technologies into the existing system. These efforts are critical for sustaining the metro’s high level of performance and meeting the demands of an ever-growing population. The success of this partnership could serve as a model for similar collaborations in other major metropolitan regions around the globe.