Great Belt Fixed Link - Traffic Implications

Traffic Implications

Prior to the opening of the link, an average of 8,000 cars used the ferries across the Great Belt every day. In 2008, an average of 30,200 cars travelled the link each day. The increase of the traffic volume is partly caused by the general growth of traffic, partly diversion of traffic volume from other ferry services and air services, and finally the so-called traffic leap, that is, new traffic generated by the improved ease, facility and lower price of crossing the Great Belt.

The fixed link has produced considerable time savings for those travelling between eastern and western Denmark. Previously, it took approximately 90 minutes on average to cross the Great Belt in a car with transfer by ferry, including the waiting time at the harbours. It took considerably longer during peak volume periods, such as at weekends and during holidays. With the opening of the Great Belt Link, the journey is now between 10 and 15 minutes.

For those who travel by train, the time savings are significant as well. The journey has been reduced by 60 minutes, and there are many more seats available than previously because more railway cars may be added to a train as the train does not have to fit onto a ferry. The total seating capacity offered by DSB across the Great Belt on an ordinary Wednesday has risen from 11,060 seats to 37,490 seats. On Fridays the seating capacity exceeds 40,000 seats.

On the following stretches the shortest travel times are as follows: Copenhagen–Odense 1 hour 15 minutes, Copenhagen–Aarhus 2 hours 30 minutes, Copenhagen–Aalborg 3 hours 55 minutes and Copenhagen–Esbjerg 2 hours 35 minutes.

Flights between Copenhagen and Odense, and between Copenhagen and Esbjerg have ceased, and the train now has the largest market share between Copenhagen and Aarhus.

Together with the Øresund Bridge, the link provides a direct fixed connection between western Continental Europe and northern Scandinavia, eventually connecting all parts of the European Union except for Ireland, Malta and Cyprus and outlying islands. Most people from Zealand still prefer taking the ferry between Puttgarden and Rødby, as it is a much shorter distance, and provides a needed break for those travelling a long distance.

For cargo trains, the fixed links are a large improvement. Cargo trains can go between Sweden and Germany, and even between Sweden and the UK. The Sweden-to-Germany ferry system is still used to some extent, owing to limited rail capacity, with heavy passenger traffic over the bridges and some single track rail in southern Denmark and northern Germany.

For passenger trains between Copenhagen and Germany, the Great Belt is used for night trains, which are too long to fit on the ferries. For day trains on the Copenhagen-Hamburg route the Fehmarn Belt ferries are still used, with short diesel trains.

In 2020 however, the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link is expected to be complete with much of this international passenger and cargo traffic being shifted from the Great Belt Fixed Link. This more direct route would also have the effect of shortening the rail journey from Hamburg to Copenhagen from 4¾ to 3½ hours.