ALSTOM FERROVIARIA has been selected to build and equip the first of three planned light rail lines in the Italian city of Firenze. This follows a second round of international tenders, as none of the bids lodged in July 2000 proved acceptable.
Local transport operator ATAF has been allocated 240bn lire for the initial 7·5 km route, which is due to be completed within three years. It will link the main station at Santa Maria Novella with the southwestern suburb of Scandicci. There will be 15 stations and five substations supplying 750V DC to the fleet of 17 Cityway low-floor LRVs. Top speed will be 70 km/h.
Plans for the 10·2 km second line were approved in October 2000, with a budget of 332bn lire. Due for completion by 2005, this will run from Peretola airport in the northwest through Novoli and Santa Maria Novella to the Duomo and Piazza Piave, with 22 stops. A third tranche will provide a circular route and three radial spurs running north to Careggi, east to Campo Marte, and southeast along the Arno valley.
