Siemens Mobility and Stadler to Deliver World’s Largest Automated Urban Rail Fleet for DSB

A consortium comprising Siemens Mobility and Stadler has secured a landmark contract from DSB to supply 226 fully automated, four-car trainsets, with an option for up to 100 additional units.

Valued at approximately €3 billion, the agreement will create the world’s largest open railway system operating with automated train operation (ATO). The project marks a major step forward in Denmark’s rail modernisation strategy and the evolution of driverless urban transport.

Division of Responsibilities

Within the consortium, responsibilities are clearly defined:

• Siemens Mobility will provide the electrical systems, including propulsion and braking technology, onboard power supply, vehicle and train control systems, passenger information systems and bogies.

• Stadler will manufacture the car bodies and couplings, deliver the interior fit-out including seating, install air-conditioning and doors, and carry out final assembly of the trains.

In addition, Siemens Mobility will deliver technical support and spare parts under a long-term ‘TSSSA+’ agreement. This includes deployment of its Railigent X digital service and maintenance platform, already used on projects such as those in Dortmund and Baden-Württemberg.

Delivery Timeline

The first trainsets are expected to enter passenger service in 2032. The remainder of the fleet will be introduced progressively over the following eight years, ensuring a phased and structured transition to the new automated system.

Boosting Capacity on Copenhagen’s S-bane

The new trains will operate on Copenhagen’s S-bane network, where the introduction of full automation is expected to significantly enhance service frequency. Some routes are projected to see up to a 35% increase in departures compared with current levels.

Alongside the rolling stock procurement, Siemens Mobility is upgrading the entire 170-kilometre S-bane network to the highest Grade of Automation (GoA4), enabling fully driverless operations.

Passenger-Focused Design

Each train will measure 56 metres in length and offer step-free, ground-level boarding to improve accessibility. The interior layout will include:

• 120 fixed seats

• 36 folding seats

• Space for approximately 300 standing passengers

• Wide aisles and generous entrance areas

The trains will provide dedicated areas for bicycles, wheelchairs and prams, as well as integrated wheelchair spaces. Large side and front windows will enhance visibility and passenger comfort.

Additional features include 2+2 seating configurations, tables for working on the move, air conditioning and modern passenger information systems, with route displays visible both inside and outside the train.

Sustainability and Long-Term Maintenance

The fleet will incorporate an Air-free Brake System, reducing overall weight and cutting CO₂ emissions by more than 50% compared with conventional systems.

DSB has also signed a 30-year service and maintenance agreement with the consortium, including options for two additional five-year extensions. While the consortium retains overall maintenance responsibility, DSB’s own employees will carry out the day-to-day maintenance work.

Together, the contracts represent a transformative investment in Denmark’s rail infrastructure, positioning Copenhagen’s S-bane as a global benchmark for large-scale automated urban rail systems.