Ferrovie dello Stato Group’s chief executive, Mauro Moretti, has launched the first of 63 new trains for Italy’s Lombardy region.
More than €500 million is being invested by the Lombardy Region, Trenitalia and FNM Group Trenord in new trains to operate Trenitalia Trenord services in the region.
The first of five double-deck Vivalto trainsets, built by AnsaldoBreda and hauled by E464 Bombardier locomotives, arrived in Milan Central on February 28.
Over the course of the next two years, 63 new trains will begin operating in the region, reducing the average age of rolling stock from around 28 to 20 years.
As well as the Vivalto units, other vehicles will be supplied by Alstom and Stadler.
By May 2015, 39 new trains will have been delivered, with a further 14 due to arrive by December 2015. Deliveries will be completed by early 2016.
The first Vivalto unit will enter service on the Milan-Cremona-Mantua route later this month.
