NATIONAL Express Group has agreed in principle to sell its c2c rail franchise in Britain to Italian State Railways’ (FS) train operating subsidiary Trenitalia for around £70m, subject to approval from the Department for Transport (DfT).

THE European Commission (EC) confirmed on December 19 that a public funding scheme launched by the Italian government to encourage modal shift of freight from road to rail is compliant with European Union (EU) rules on state aid.

THE Sicilian city of Catania has expanded its metro network for the first time since the opening of the initial Borgo - Porto section in 1999, with the start of passenger services on the branch from Galatea to Stesicoro in the city centre on December 20.

THE first completed driving car for NTV’s new fleet of Pendolino tilting trains was unveiled at Alstom’s Savigliano plant in northern Italy on December 15.

ITALIAN State Railways (FS) announced on December 12 that it has purchased 36.7% of Astaldi’s shares in Milan’s Metro M5 consortium for €64.5m.

COMMERCIAL services began running through Switzerland’s Gotthard Base Tunnel with the start of the 2017 timetable on December 11, resulting in shorter journey times for passengers and freight customers along the north-south Gotthard corridor.

AN inauguration ceremony for the Andora - San Lorenzo section of the Genova - Savona - Ventimiglia line was held on December 11 with Italy’s vice-minister of infrastructure and transport Mr Riccardo Nencini, Liguria’s governor Mr Giovanni Toti, and regional deputy for occupation, transport, tourism and human resources, Mr Giovanni Berrino, participating in the inaugural journey on the line.

THE Italian Authority for Communication Guarantees (Agcom) has launched investigations into NTV and Trenitalia amid allegations of discriminatory activities.

ITALY’s Committee for Economic Planning (Cipe) has granted €59m for the electrification of the 97km Valsugana railway between Bassano del Grappa and Trento.

HITACHI Rail Italy (HRI) announced on November 30 that it has been awarded three contracts with a total value of around €108m to provide rolling stock maintenance services for Trenitalia and Trenord.