Wedoany.com Report-Nov 11, SWISS Federal Railways (SBB) and Italian State Railways' (FS) passenger operating subsidiary Trenitalia have confirmed that they will increase the frequency of cross-border services between Switzerland and Italy under a renewed cooperation agreement signed on November 8.

As well as the 40 trains which already run daily between Italy and Switzerland, the operators are aiming to introduce new Zürich - Milan - Venice and Zürich - Florence - Livorno services under the new agreement that will commence in 2026. Four new Giruno high-speed trains from an order for five that SBB placed with Stadler in February are expected to be added to the existing 29-strong SBB fleet to support the expanded offer.

The agreement was signed by Mr Luigi Corradi, CEO of Trenitalia, and Ms Véronique Stephan, director of SBB Passenger Markets, during a ceremony at Milan Central station.

Stephan pointed out that the two operators carried 500,000 more passengers between the two countries in 2023 compared with 2019, reflecting a steady increase in services provided and passenger demand.

“The cooperation agreement signed today represents the extension of a partnership which has already proven to be a success,” Corradi says. “We expect increasing demand for cross-border connections between Italy and Switzerland in the coming years, and we are ready to welcome travellers on newer trains which are even more comfortable and sustainable.”

EuroCity

Trenitalia also used the event to present its new EuroCity brand and newly-refurbished trains, including a ETR 610 train which operates on cross-border services to Switzerland.

The refurbish train features renewed interiors, and seats upholstered with fabric made from 100% recycled plastic. It is also equipped with onboard Wi-Fi and sockets to charge electric bicycles.

Trenitalia says the entire refurbished ETR 610 fleet is due to enter service by 2026.