Odense light rail halts completely from Saturday due to unresolved safety issue

Odense’s light rail system will suspend all services from Saturday after transport authorities refused to approve further operation without resolving a safety concern at a pedestrian bridge near the city’s university hospital, Danish broadcaster DR reports.

The shutdown follows weeks of restricted service after a structural issue was identified at the bridge near Nyt OUH on May 22. Trains cannot reach the maintenance depot without passing under the bridge, making repairs or routine servicing impossible.

Passengers now face significant disruptions. Sofie Desort, a mother of twins in Odense, said the closure would force her to walk most places. “I have a large stroller, and buses rarely have space for it,” she told DR. “I don’t own a car, so I’ll have to drop some plans unless I can arrange rides—but even then, strollers don’t fit well in cars.”

Students and young commuters will also be affected. Maria Østergaard, a local resident, noted that nighttime travel would become particularly difficult. “Suddenly having to take taxis gets expensive,” she said. “And if you’re heading to Syddansk Universitet, it’s a really long trip otherwise.”

Mathilde Kunkel, another regular user, said the light rail was often safer than cycling in Odense’s traffic. “For places like Rosengårdscenteret, the tram was just easier,” she said.

Authorities have not indicated when normal service might resume.