ITALY: The first of five Vivalto double-deck push-pull trainsets for Lombardia region operator Trenord was unveiled at Milano Centrale station on February 28.
The 160 km/h trainset comprises six AnsaldoBreda TSR air-conditioned double-deck coaches and a Bombardier E464 Traxx single-cab electric locomotive. It has 724 seats with armrests, folding tables and power sockets, LED lighting, passenger information, wheelchair spaces and an accessible toilet. There is a multi-purpose area for skis, bicycles and large luggage.
The first trainset is due to enter service on Mantova - Cremona - Milano route by mid-March. They are to be deployed on the Milano - Treviglio - Bergamo and Brescia - Milano routes by June.
Trenord has a number of new trains scheduled for delivery, in a process which it says will reduce the average age of the fleet from 28 years in 2008 to 20 years in 2016. These include 30 Alstom Coradia EMUs, 19 AnsaldoBreda TSR double-deck EMUs, four Stadler Flirt EMUs and five Stadler GTW DMUs.
The €500m cost is being funded by the Lombardia region and Trenord joint venture partners Trenitalia and LeNord.
