M1 (Copenhagen)

M1
Geographically accurate path of M1
Overview
Type	Rapid transit
System	Copenhagen Metro
Locale	Copenhagen, Denmark
Termini	Vestamager Vanløse
Stations	15
Operation
Opened	19 October 2002
Owner	Metroselskabet
Operator(s)	Metro Service
Character	Elevated and Underground
Depot(s)	Vestamager
Technical
Line length	14.3 km (8.9 mi)
Number of tracks	Double
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Electrification	750 V

M1 of the Copenhagen Metro, colored green on the map, runs from Vanløse to Vestamager. It connects the Ørestad neighborhood of Copenhagen, Denmark, to the city center. The line is elevated while traveling through Ørestad, while it runs in a tunnel below the city center. From Christianshavn to Vanløse, the line is shared with M2.

The background for the metro was the urban development of the Ørestad area of Copenhagen. The principal of building a rail transit was passed by the Parliament of Denmark on 24 June 1992, with the Ørestad Act. The responsibility for developing the area, as well as building and operating the metro, was given to the Ørestad Development Corporation, a joint venture between Copenhagen Municipality (45%) and the Ministry of Finance (55%). Initially, three modes of transport were considered: a tramway, a light rail and a rapid transit. In October 1994, the Development Corporation chose a light rapid transit system.

The decision to build stage 2, from Nørreport to Vanløse was made by parliament on 21 December 1994. Stage 2 involved the establishment of the company Fredriksbergbaneselskapet I/S in February 1995, owned 70% by the Ørestad Development Corporation and 30% by Fredriksberg Municipality. In October 1996, a contract was signed with the Copenhagen Metro Construction Group (COMET) for building the lines, and with Ansaldo for delivery of the trains and operate the system the first five years. COMET is a consortium comprised Astaldi, Bachy, SAE, Ilbau, NCC Rasmussen & Schiøtz Anlæg and Tarmac Construction.