ITALY: Campania regional train operator Ente Autonomo Volturno has ordered five Stadler diesel-battery multiple-units by using an option within a framework contract for up to 50 units which Lombardia regional railway FNM signed with the Swiss manufacturer in November.
The two operators said this arrangement would enable them both to order high quality trains while benefiting from economies of scale and short delivery timescales, and could be a model for other regional train operators to adopt.
The EAV order announced on May 27 is worth €35m plus VAT, including maintenance. The DMUs are scheduled to be delivered in 36 months, and will be used on the 42 km route from Napoli to Piedimonte Matese.
The DMUs will be 66·80 m long with 168 seats and a maximum speed of 140 km/h. Each will have three passenger cars and a power module housing two Stage V compliant diesel engines with SCR catalytic converters powering two sets of batteries. This will enable zero-emission and low-noise operation at stations as well as reducing emissions in urban areas, while also improving acceleration.
The fleet will have LED lighting, wi-fi, 220 V and USB sockets, passenger information systems, CCTV and sliding steps to cover the gap between the doors and platform edges.
