Business
Italy: Milan metro adds new 'business class' trains
Milan, 19 March (AKI) - Commuters in the northern Italian city of Milan will be travelling 'business class' after the release of 40 new luxury trains in a 293 million euro upgrade of its underground rail network. The Meneghino or MNG is being described as the new generation subway system and will change the face of the city's travel.
The company responsible for Milan's transport network, Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), announced the new trains in an official ceremony in the city on Thursday.
Elio Catania, president and chief executive of ATM, said the new metro trains combined the best in innovation, technology and quality.
"The new train that begins moving on the historic 'red line' of our city is a synthesis of a great modernisation process that has been taking place for almost two years,"Catania said.
He was referring to one of the Milan subway's oldest lines, opened in 1964.
"The Meneghino which begins service today is a product of 'Made in Italy' and during our country's economic crisis has a significance that goes beyond the metropolitan transport service."
The new trains were built by Ansaldo Breda, a subsidiary of Italian aerospace and defence giant, Finmeccanica, and Firema, a leader in rolling stock design and maintenance.
Initially there were to be 27 trains for one of the city's metro lines but the number was increased to 40 to run on all lines of the network.
"Milan and ATM have invested more than 290 million euros in the quality of the service which will deliver 40 new trains," Catania said.
The new trains together with the world's largest trade fair Milan Expo taking place in 2015 will make the city " a planetary showcase," according to Catania.
The 105-metre long trains consist of six air-conditioned carriages with ergonomically designed seats to ensure passenger comfort. But the trains are also "ecologically designed" to minimise energy use.
All carriages and doors are designed to travel as silently as possible and include video surveillance cameras.
It will also have a new way to update passengers with the Passenger Information System, and an audio visual system that will receive and transmit information to passengers in real time.
The head of engineering rolling stock at ATM, Alberto Zorzan, said passengers would have a more comfortable journey as a result of the changes.
In addition to the new trains, 59 million euros will be spent between 2009 and 2011 to upgrade other trains and another 2 million euros to install air conditioning in 10 trains.
Over the next three years, 10 subway stations will be restructured at a cost of 20 million euros.
The company responsible for Milan's transport network, Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), announced the new trains in an official ceremony in the city on Thursday.
Elio Catania, president and chief executive of ATM, said the new metro trains combined the best in innovation, technology and quality.
"The new train that begins moving on the historic 'red line' of our city is a synthesis of a great modernisation process that has been taking place for almost two years,"Catania said.
He was referring to one of the Milan subway's oldest lines, opened in 1964.
"The Meneghino which begins service today is a product of 'Made in Italy' and during our country's economic crisis has a significance that goes beyond the metropolitan transport service."
The new trains were built by Ansaldo Breda, a subsidiary of Italian aerospace and defence giant, Finmeccanica, and Firema, a leader in rolling stock design and maintenance.
Initially there were to be 27 trains for one of the city's metro lines but the number was increased to 40 to run on all lines of the network.
"Milan and ATM have invested more than 290 million euros in the quality of the service which will deliver 40 new trains," Catania said.
The new trains together with the world's largest trade fair Milan Expo taking place in 2015 will make the city " a planetary showcase," according to Catania.
The 105-metre long trains consist of six air-conditioned carriages with ergonomically designed seats to ensure passenger comfort. But the trains are also "ecologically designed" to minimise energy use.
All carriages and doors are designed to travel as silently as possible and include video surveillance cameras.
It will also have a new way to update passengers with the Passenger Information System, and an audio visual system that will receive and transmit information to passengers in real time.
The head of engineering rolling stock at ATM, Alberto Zorzan, said passengers would have a more comfortable journey as a result of the changes.
In addition to the new trains, 59 million euros will be spent between 2009 and 2011 to upgrade other trains and another 2 million euros to install air conditioning in 10 trains.
Over the next three years, 10 subway stations will be restructured at a cost of 20 million euros.
Bookmark whit:
