ITALY: FS Group-owned Puglia regional railway Ferrovie del Sud-Est has unveiled the first of five three-car Newag Impuls II electric multiple-units ahead of entry into service on the modernised Bari – Casamassima – Putignano line from September.
The €20·2m contract for five EMUs was signed in December 2015. It included an option for up to 10 more units, and FSE placed a €24·2m firm order for six in December 2018.
Designated ETR322 in Italy, the 160 km/h EMUs are 59·3 m long with 175 seats, a PRM-compliant toilet, LED lighting and four 400 kW traction motors.
The 48 km Bari – Putignano line has undergone an extensive modernisation over the past year with the aim of reducing journey times by 40%. This has included track renewals and electrification, and the SCMT train control system is to be installed by next year.
