by In Trieste
A new 10-year contract for the operation of regional rail services in Friuli Venezia Giulia region was signed on January 11 by Mr Graziano Pizzimenti, regional councilor for public works, infrastructure and transport, and Mr Luigi Corradi, managing director of Trenitalia.
The press conference in Trieste on 11 January was also attended by Friuli Venezia Giulia’s president, Massimiliano Fedriga.
The new contract begins in this year and has a total value of €1.2bn including fees and revenues. The agreement includes investment worth more than €270 million which includes buying new trains 11 new Blues and 14 Rock trains, cyclical maintenance, rolling stock refurbishment, depots, and technology and IT.
The progressive introduction of new rolling stock will help to reduce the average age of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s regional fleet from 16.3 years to just 6.2 years by 2031.
Mr Corradi added: “I am convinced the work that has been done throughout this past year will bring grand results in the years to come. The contract of 10 years will make it easier for us to work with the region of FVG. However, our main goal was not only to get the new trains out here but to make sure the passengers have a great experience on board.”
As the procuring authority, the region will pay Trenitalia an average fee of €100.5m a year to operate the network. The volume of services will increase from 14.6 million train-km this year to more than 15 million train-km in 2031.
“We made a conscious decision of signing a contract of 10 years with Trenitalia which we hope will encourage our residents to switch from four wheels and tyres to railway tracks. We also think the regional trains will allow tourists to discover our region even better” added president Fedriga. “We are proud to be able to guarantee a nationally recognized system of trains and help our citizens move around in an easy and enjoyable way.”
