ITALY: Hitachi Rail Italy has delivered the first driverless trainset for the future metro Line M4 in Milano to the site of Linate Airport station.
HRI is supplying 47 four-car trainsets from its Reggio Calabria factory. The 50 m long sets have capacity for 600 passengers. They will have a maximum speed of 80 km/h and will draw power at 750 V DC from a third rail.
The fifth metro line in Milano is due to open in phases, starting with the eastern section. This would connect Linate Airport to the metro network and run to Forlanini railway station; opening of this section is due in January 2021. The whole line, running to San Cristoforo railway station in the west, is due to be completed by July 2023.
Once complete, Line M4 will serve 21 stations on a 15 km alignment. Ridership is forecast at 87 million passengers a year.
