LIGHT metro Line 6 in the Italian city of Naples reopened to passengers on July 17. The line has been extended by 3.2km from Megellina to Municipio, with intermediate stations at Arco Mirelli, San Pasquale and Chiaia.
The first section of Line 6, running for 2.3km from Mostra to Mergellina opened in February 2007, with intermediate stations at Augusto and Lala. Services were suspended in 2013 due to low ridership and the line remained closed until the opening of the extension to Municipio.
Opening of the extension means that residents in 47% of the Naples city area are now within 500m of a metro station. The extended Line 6 will offer significantly shorter journey times than the private car, encouraging modal shift and helping to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions.
Line 6 is currently being operated with a fleet of five LRVs. From March 2025 a new fleet of 22 light metro trains will be introduced, supplied by Hitachi Rail under a €200m contract that also includes the supply of a new digital signalling system.
The new trains were ordered in February under a concession contact dating from 1986 for the construction of Line 6.
Hitachi Rail says that the new trains will feature an innovative air-conditioning system that will significantly increase passenger comfort in all seasons.
The Hitachi Rail fleet will be maintained at a new depot covering 11ha, will also be the site of the new Line 6 control centre.
“With the inauguration of Line 6, a project started some 40 years ago amidst various difficulties and continuous upgrades is finally completed,” says the mayor of Naples, Mr Gaetano Manfredi.
“The new metro line guarantees an increase in the number of interchange points in the city's transport network, making it possible now to connect the western area with the city centre and, in the near future, to reach the airport.”
For detailed data on metro projects worldwide, subscribe to IRJ Pro.
