Hitachi Rail undertakes €368 million contract to deliver 46 new aluminium trains for Milan metro, Italy

Hitachi Rail has received a €368 million infrastructure contract for producing and delivering 46 new aluminium metro trains for the Milan metro in Italy. Managed by Azienda Trasporti Milanesi (ATM), the Milan metro is one of the busiest routes in the country.

This arrangement is just the beginning of ATM’s colossal investment plan in delivering Italy with state-of-the-art transport facilities that align with the growing sustainability quotient in the world. Aluminium is key in making the sustainability dream come true as the non-ferrous metal is infinitely recyclable and is extremely suitable for a circular economy.

The first pages of the contract notify us about the €168 million, which has been solely allotted for the delivery of 21 aluminium trains which are to begin service in spring 2024.

These new carriages will aid in reconstructing the Italian public transport sector and connectivity with the Lombardy capital city so that passengers can have a much more comfortable and modern transport model.

The Italian Hitachi Rail plants located in Naples and Reggio Calabria will develop these aluminium coaches that will have a wholly accessible design with a continuous front-to-rear view and an embedded surveillance system sending real-time feed of the control room for enhanced security during rides.

One train would be 106.5 metres in length, comprising six aluminium cars and would reach a maximum speed of 90 kilometres per hour. The trains would also have internal air-conditioning systems, and the outsides would be firm enough to safeguard against any hard blow or vandalism.

To meet the companies’ sustainability goals, both Hitachi Rail and ATM have come up with aluminium which is perfect for recycling so that the coaches are completely recyclable when they reach the end of their lives.