Stadler to Supply Cross-Border Ticino Lombardy Trains to FNM
New Ticino Lombardy trains: Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler and Italian public transport company FNM S.p.A. have signed a framework agreement. Stadler is to supply interoperable electric trains to run between Ticino, Switzerland’s southernmost canton, and Lombardy in Italy.
Trenord, a railway company that is jointly owned by Trenitalia and FNM, will lease the trains in time for the new timetable that will come into effect in December 2020. Last year FNM put out a call for tenders. Stadler submitted the winning bid.
Stadler also recently signed a contract with FNM to supply 30 FLIRT DMUs, meaning that Stadler will have more than 200 of its trains operating in Italy.
Read: Stadler to Supply New Regional Diesel-Electric Trains to FNM
Stadler-FNM Framework Agreement
The framework agreement has a runtime of eight years. It guarantees that FNM will purchase a minimum of five trains from Stadler. The contract also includes an option for an additional four trains. Furthermore, the contract states that Stadler will perform both first and second-level maintenance services. The total value of the framework agreement is almost 114.5 million euros. The two companies signed two implementation contracts for five and four trains at the same time. Stadler will deliver the first five trains by November 2020. The company will then begin delivery of the additional four trains in July 2021.
Specifications for the Ticino Lombardy Trains
The electric trains FNM has ordered are bidirectional six-car units. Each train will have a length of 104.9 metres. The total capacity per train will be 655, with 244 seats. They can run on both 3kV DC, used in Italy, and 15kV AC, used in Switzerland. Naturally, the trains have the authorisation to operate in both countries. The top running speed will be 160km/h. Furthermore, these trains will be compatible with the trains already serving the Ticino-Lombardy line.
To ensure high safety and capacity levels on the line, these trains will feature ERTMS and ETCS. They are also set up for remote diagnostic testing.
Beneficially for passengers, these trains will come with power sockets, a passenger information system, two toilets and LED lighting.
Andrea Gibelli, Chairman of FNM S.p.A., said:
“Today’s signing is a further element of a broader plan to renew the fleet of trains launched in 2017. The availability of new trains is an essential aspect in order to offer a service that more adequately meets the mobility needs of people who live and work in or visit Lombardy or, as in this case, who travel across the border.”
