ITALIAN State Railways (FS) has pledged a number of measures to improve conditions for open-access high-speed operators, responding to the findings of an investigation by the Italian Competition Authority, which concluded that FS subsidiaries had deliberately attempted to exclude competitor NTV from the market.

Preliminary testing is underway of the Frecciarossa 1000, Italy's new 360km/h high-speed train at Bombardier's Vado Ligure plant. Kevin Smith takes an in-depth look at the design features of what will be Europe's fastest high-speed train when it enters service in 2016.

ITALY's antitrust authority has announced it is launching an investigation into Italian State Railways (FS) and its subsidiaries following allegations by open-access high-speed operator NTV that the national railway has engaged in anticompetitive practices against the newcomer.

DESPITE another difficult year for Italy's economy, Italian State Railways (FS) improved its financial performance for the fifth consecutive year in 2012, with Ebitda rising 7.6% to exceed €1.9bn for the first time and net profits increasing 33.7% to €381m.

A DISPUTE between Italy's open-access high-speed operator NTV and infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) over NTV's plan to launch a new service between Milan, Rimini and Ancona on the Adriatic coast came to a head this week.

ITALY's prime minister Mr Mario Monti officially inaugurated Turin Porta Susa station on January 14 marking completion of a project to rebuild and expand the station to provide the city with a high-speed rail hub.

ITALIAN open-access high-speed operator NTV is to launch a new service between Milan and the Adriatic Coast this summer in the first expansion outside its orignal network.

ITALY's rail regulator (URSF) has ruled in favour of Italian Rail Network (RFI) in a dispute with open-access high-speed operator NTV over the recent erection of a fence at Rome Ostiense which prevents NTV passengers walking directly from NTV's lounge to their train on the adjacent platform 15.

ITALIAN infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) opened the new 180km/h high-speed tunnel beneath Bologna on June 21.

A dispute has arisen between NTV, Italy's new open-access high-speed operator, and infrastructure manager Italian Rail Network (RFI) over access to platform 15 at Rome Ostiense station, which is used by NTV's Italo trains.