Delivery of the new trains will be completed in 2021 and will help to reduce the average age of trains operating in Calabria which is currently 30 years.

The investment is part of a €1.44bn project to develop the rail network in Calabria. This includes a €500m scheme to upgrade the 280km Ionian line linking Rocca Imperiale with Melito for which an agreement was signed in May by Delrio, Mr Maurizio Gentile, CEO of Italian Rail Network (FRI), and the regional governor Mr Mario Oliveiro. The work includes laying type 60 Uni rails to allow heavier axleloads, increasing the line speed above 160km/h, elimination of around 20 level crossings, reprofiling tunnels, signalling improvements, and upgrading stations, as a prelude to electrifying the line. The work is expected to take three years to complete.

In addition, €160m is being invested in the construction of a 10km light rail line in Cosenza to link the city to Rende and the University of Calabria which is due to open in 2020.