Škoda-led JV awarded €732.5 million contract to supply 370 new railway coaches to Italy

Pilsen, Czech Republic (Urban Transport News): The Škoda Group has achieved yet another milestone in Italy with a significant project involving the supply of new sleeping coaches. The contract, valued at €732.5 million, has been awarded to Škoda in collaboration with Titagarh Firema. This success comes through a successful bid in the European tender procedure initiated by Trenitalia, a member of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane group. The project will see the production of up to 370 new railway coaches, serving the Milan - Palermo - Syracuse line and embodying modern technical solutions alongside environmental sustainability.

The enthusiasm for night train travel in Europe is on the rise, and these new coaches for the Italian railways are set to provide passengers with an extraordinary travel experience, offering heightened comfort, privacy, and a peaceful ambiance reminiscent of a conventional hotel room. The design aims to meet the diverse and demanding needs of travelers.

CEO of Škoda Group, Didier Pfleger, expressed his pride in the team's achievement, highlighting the recent expansion into the Italian market with the opening of an office in Florence. He underlined the significance of Škoda's tradition in vehicle manufacturing, extending over 160 years, and the trust that another European carrier has placed in the company.

Carlo Logli, CEO of Titagarh Firema, situated in Caserta, emphasized the importance of this achievement for the company and the country. He highlighted the project's positive impact on employment and expressed gratitude to Škoda for the partnership, expressing hope for more collaborations in the future.

The initial phase of the contract involves delivering a total of 70 sleeping coaches, categorized as Comfort, DeLuxe, and Economy. The DeLuxe coaches are equipped with spacious bedrooms, individual toilets, and showers, as well as modern amenities. The Comfort Class offers compartments with individual beds and washbasins, catering to travelers' convenience. The Economy Class features a passenger lounge with seating arrangements designed for comfort and individual lighting for each seat.

This project not only reflects the growing preference for night train travel but also demonstrates how IoT technologies and innovative solutions are being incorporated into the rail and transportation sector to create more comfortable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable options for passengers. As technology continues to advance, the rail industry is poised to undergo further transformations, ushering in a new era of travel experiences.