The European Investment Bank has under appraisal two projects on rolling stock acquisition in Italy that have a total value of EUR 754 million.
Under the first project under appraisal is Trenitalia’s plan to purchase around 90 new trainsets. They are expected to be used to provide regional train services in Emilia Romagna under a Public Service Contract. In 2015, the government of Emilia Romagna awarded a JV formed by Trenitalia and Emilia Romagna Passenger Transport (TPER) a 15-year contract to operate bus and rail passenger services in the region, starting the end of 2018. The contract includes a EUR 750 million investment for the acquisition of 96 trains. According to EIB, the rolling stock will be in conformity with the applicable TSIs and it will not be equipped with ERTMS system. This is allowed by the EU Rail Interoperability legislation in certain cases. “It will be analysed at the appraisal if this project corresponds to one of such cases,” EIB says. The total value of this project is EUR 653 million, of which the proposed EIB finance is EUR 100 million. Under Trenitalia’s EUR 4.5 billion investment plan to purchase new trains, within an agreement, the first order involves the acquisition of trains for Emilia Romagna.
The other project being appraised by the European Investment Bank involves Ferrovie Nord Milano (FNM S.p.A.) that plans to purchase 10 new trainsets. They will be put into service on regional lines in Lombardy (Italy) and cross-border regional services between Lombardy and Ticino (Switzerland). The total value of the project is EUR 101 million of which the proposed EIB finance is EUR 50 million. The new rolling stock is expected to allow more efficient operation, reduce maintenance costs, lower energy consumption and increase the level of comfort for passengers. Indirectly, by improving services, rolling stock renewal will help railways compete with other modes, particularly private vehicles, so as to maintain or improve its modal share. Shifting passenger flows from other modes to rail may result in reduced vehicle operation costs, safety and environmental benefits.
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