Hoveddepot

Hoveddepot is a term used in Norwegian and Danish to denote the main depot or central storage and maintenance facility of a transport or logistics operator. It refers to a central site where vehicles, equipment, and parts are housed, maintained, and dispatched. The word combines hoved, meaning "main" or "head," with depot, from French dépôt.

In public transport and rail operations, a hoveddepot typically includes vehicle housing such as bus, tram, or train fleets, maintenance workshops, cleaning facilities, fueling and charging stations, spare-parts stores, administrative offices, and a depot yard for parking and stabling. It often serves as the operational hub for the network, coordinating vehicle rotation, repairs, and dispatch to service routes.

Hoveddepots may be part of a larger logistics or transportation network and can be located near major lines or urban centers to optimize access and efficiency. They are distinct from other storage facilities in that they combine storage with maintenance and active dispatch capabilities.

In logistics contexts, a similar term is central depot, while hovedlager refers to the main warehouse for goods storage, emphasizing inventory rather than vehicle maintenance or operations.