Lyngby-Taarbæk Mayor Sofia Osmani (Conservatives) will attend the opening of Hovedstadens Letbane in Lyngby on August 22, but has refused to cut the ribbon because she still opposes the light rail project.
DR reports that Osmani has handed the ceremonial scissors to her deputy ahead of the official inauguration. The opening marks the end of several years of construction work in the municipality.
According to Sjællandske Nyheder, which first reported her decision, Osmani says the ribbon should be cut by someone who voted for the project. She did not, and she maintains that the light rail is the wrong solution for Lyngby-Taarbæk.
As reported by DR, Osmani calls the light rail too expensive and inflexible. She argues it inconveniences many residents and worsens public transport for people who do not live near a station. She would rather have prioritized bus routes along Ring 3.
Sjællandske Nyheder reports that the project will cost Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune around 40 million kroner per year for 40 years. Hovedstadens Letbane is owned by Region Hovedstaden and 11 municipalities, including Lyngby-Taarbæk, and the owners guarantee the company. In 2023, the construction budget was increased by 1.1 billion kroner, with the extra cost placed on the owners.
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Deputy mayor takes over the scissors
Vice Mayor Simon Pihl Sørensen (Social Democrats), who voted for the project, will perform the ribbon-cutting instead. Per DR, he says he is looking forward to the day and expects the light rail to matter for the municipality’s shopping district and for its ability to attract staff to local workplaces.
Sørensen also acknowledges that the construction period has been troublesome for residents and businesses in Lyngby-Taarbæk. He notes that disruption is unavoidable in projects of this size, according to DR.
On August 22, the remaining 17 stations enter service, completing the line between Ishøj and Lundtofte. Hovedstadens Letbane stated in June 2026 that the opening follows several years of construction and a spring of extensive test runs. The southern section, between Ishøj and Rødovre, has been in operation since the fall of 2025.
According to Lovguiden, the full route will be 28 kilometers long with 29 stations, completing a process that began with a principle agreement in 2013. DK Nyt has reported the same station count for the finished line.
Lyngby-Taarbæk Kommune announced on August 7 that there are seven light rail stations in the municipality, with activities planned at all of them on opening day. The municipality states that the inaugural train passes through Lyngby around 10:50 and that travel on the light rail is free that day.
