Trenitalia business booming in Switzerland
Trenitalia has recently finalised an agreement with the Swiss railways to acquire five additional new Giruno trains. These trains are scheduled to commence operation on Italian routes by the end of 2025. Domenico Scida, Director of Trenitalia Intercity Business, sheds light on Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group’s activity in the Swiss Confederation.
In 2023, more than 3 million passengers chose to travel by train across the borders of Italy, highlighting a rising inclination towards eco-friendly transportation in Europe. Eurocity trains have played a crucial role in shortening the distance between European capitals, making Switzerland, with destinations like Berne, Basel, Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Lugano, Zurich, and Montreux, more easily reachable than before. Currently, up to 40 Eurocity trains run daily between Italy and key Swiss cities, operated through a collaboration between Trenitalia, SBB, and DB.
Success in Switzerland
“EuroCity is the international arm of the InterCity service, a cross-border international arm with trains linking Italy to the neighbouring countries so that passengers can travel from Italy to the surrounding nations. Specifically, the daytime services provide links with Switzerland, while the night-time services go to Austria and Germany. It’s an important world because it clocked up more than 3 million passengers in 2023,” explains Domenico Scida, Director of the Trenitalia Intercity Business.
He highlights the Italian company’s success over the border in Switzerland, stating: “There are 40 daytime services with Switzerland, a significant number, with twenty pairs linking the main northern Italian cities – Milan, Venice, Bologna, Genoa – with the main Swiss cities – Basel, Geneva, Zurich, Berne. At night, we have services leaving in the evening from Rome, La Spezia and Genoa to reach Vienna and Munich the following morning.”
“The figures for 2023 reflect our success story with Switzerland. We have just closed an agreement with the Swiss railways to purchase an additional five new Giruno trains, which will go into operation on Italian routes as from the end of 2025. This is a significant boost to the service because it provides a tool for incoming tourism. Huge numbers of passengers – 3 million – largely non-Italians, chose the train to come to Italy, above all for a vacation.”
Euronight trains
Eurocity trains are just one aspect of Trenitalia’s international services. Passengers on Euronight trains can depart from major Italian cities and arrive at their destination the following morning, feeling refreshed from a peaceful journey. These trains, equipped with Nightjet coaches, are operated in partnership with Austrian railways ÖBB. Nightly departures from Rome/Ancona and La Spezia connect travellers to Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich, ensuring smooth travel experiences.
Starting in September, the Euronight services connecting Italy with Austria and Germany, such as Vienna and Munich, will introduce new coaches provided by ÖBB, the Austrian railways. These coaches, currently being introduced across Europe, will also be incorporated into Italian trains in September. They promise improved onboard experiences, including enhanced comfort, attentive passenger services, reduced noise levels, and modern onboard digitalization.
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