Tine has spoken to Benthe Vestergård from Odense Light Rail (2016)

Description

I'm sitting with Bente from Odense Light Rail, and I'd like to learn a bit about what Odense Light Rail is. Bente, what exactly is a light rail? Well, a light rail is a very modern, extremely comfortable train, you could say. It runs on rails through the city. It's designed to cover 14.3 kilometers across the entire city, from Tarup in the northwest to Hjallse in the southeast. So, it's a very comfortable train carriage, you could say, but you ride in it when you take the light rail. Why should Odense have a light rail? That's a question for the politicians. The city council has decided that we should have a light rail, and in addition, the Folketing has also agreed that Odense should get one. The main reasons for their decision relate to the growth happening in Odense—that is, more people are moving here in the coming years. Many more work in Odense, and people also commute from Aarhus and Copenhagen.

Regarding the source of this growth, it appears that the need for easy and quick travel is the primary driver. The most important routes are between the Central Station and the areas around the university and the new super hospital that will be built on the Campus, south of Bilka and IKEA, where many people will go. It’s estimated that in 2024, around 60,000 people will travel in and out of that area every day—more than the population of Svendborg Municipality, where I currently live. That’s a huge number, so many people cannot be transported solely by cars and buses. That’s why the plan is: Odense should also have a light rail. A light rail can carry as many passengers as four buses or 208 cars. The Light Rail will mostly replace city buses where it runs, but it will not entirely replace them.

Instead, buses will still operate in other parts of Odense and the suburbs, with schedules coordinated so that passengers can easily switch between buses and the Light Rail. As for the cost, we don't know yet; it’s something the politicians will decide later. But it is expected to cost the same as a bus ticket, so it’s comparable to other public transport fares. The route will run from Tarup, near the Tarup Center, down Rismarksvej, then into Højstrupvej, past Idrætsparken, along Stadionvej to Middelfartsvej, into Middelfartsvej, past Vestre Stationsvej, Østre Stationsvej, near the train station, then down Thomas Petricek Street, through the new Quarter, and from there only pedestrians and cyclists will pass through to Benedikts Plads. It will continue out to Nyborgvej, then down to Ørbækvej, from Niels Bors Allé, reaching the university and the new hospital under construction, and finally out to Jalse Station. The entire route is 14.3 kilometers long. The Light Rail is planned to run every ten minutes, so it’s very convenient—you don't need a timetable like with buses. When you arrive at one of the 26 stations, a train will be there shortly.

Current estimates suggest around 35,000 passengers will use it daily at first, but this number is expected to grow over the years. As with any new transportation system, people will try it out, see if it meets their needs, and gradually more will start to use it. Experience from BN, which is very similar to Odense, shows they started with 35,000 daily and, after five months, had climbed to 50,000. We expect similar growth here. Regarding accessibility for the disabled, several measures ensure ease of use. The platforms are designed for smooth access—level with the train—making it easy for wheelchair users. Tactile tiles will be placed to help the visually impaired find entrances and exits. Also, the entire boarding process will be level, with no steps or barriers, allowing wheelchair users to get on and off easily. So, I'll be heading up this island over the next while to establish what we call an accessibility group, which includes elderly, disabled people walking, cycling, people with strollers, tourists, whom we ask, 'What do you expect from it? What are your points of attention? What do you want from the Light Rail?' Then we try to find out if it’s something we can incorporate into its design, as much as is now possible. When is the Light Rail expected to open? By the end of 2020, we say, during 2020. You can't rule out that we'll be finished by 2024. Still, that’s the plan, similar to that. Building a light rail is a tremendous job, so an exact date is uncertain. But that sounds good. Thank you. You're welcome. It was a pleasure.

Stops

IKEA → Korsløkke → Tarup Center → Hjallese Station → Benedikts Plads → Vestre Stationsvej → Vesterbro → Parkering Odense Syd Park & Ride → Bolbro → Palnatokesvej → Banegården/Central Station → ODEON → Hestehaven → Rosengårdcentret → Idrætsparken, Stadium → Ejerslykke → SDU Syd/Hospital Nord → Albani Torv → Kongensgade → Hospital Syd → Højstrup → Campus → Contex Park → Østerbæksvej → Bilka → SDU/University.

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