Graziano Delrio, Italian Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, gave the green light to a financial allocation of EUR 214 million for the purchase of 22 main line trains, five regional trains and seven Urbo light rail vehicles produced by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF.
The new rolling stock will enter commercial operations in the Calabria region. The delivery of the trains will be completed in 2021 and the renewal of the rolling stock fleet will be followed by the gradual replacement of old trains, most of them with a lifespan of more than 30 years.
The investment is part of a significant project worth EUR 1.44 billion, which provides for the development of the railway network in Calabria. The measure includes the EUR 500 million investment for the modernisation of the railway line on the coast of the Ionian Sea, linking Rocca Imperiale and Melito. For this project, the agreement was signed in May, between Minister Delrio, Italian Railways CEO, Maurizio Gentile and Governor of the Calabria region, Mario Oliveiro.
The works will include upgrading the infrastructure for speeds of 160 km/h, removal of 20 level crossings, railway tunnels reprofiling, improving signaling systems, modernising railway stations and facilitating the launch of a separate line electrification project. All these works will be completed within three years.
In addition, the ministry is investing additional EUR 160 million in the construction of a ten kilometer long light rail line in Cosenza. This project will be completed in 2020.
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