The launch of Italo, the new high speed train service for Italy, has moved one step closer after the completion of its maintenance factory.
The new factory is located in Nola, near Naples in the south of Italy, and will employ some 250 people.
Italo has invested €90 million in the facility, which took 21 months to build.
The first of Italo’s fleet of 25 trains has entered the factory, to test out the 55,000 metres of track.
Privately-owned Italo, part of Nuova Trasporta Viaggiatori (NTV), will compete with the state-run Trenitalia’s high speed Eurostar Italia Alta Velocitá service.
The train operator has to date taken delivery of six trains, in preparation for its launch next year.
Italo is currently finalizing timetables, but aims to link Rome and Milan in three hours.