Bologna, the historical and cultural center of the Emilia-Romagna region, is making a significant step forward in developing its transportation infrastructure, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

invested in acquiring new electric trains

As of June 9, the regional operator Trenitalia Tper launched an intercity suburban service connecting Porretta in the southwest with Pianoro in the southeast through central Bologna.

Approval for the construction of a new standard-gauge railway line to Klaipeda has been granted

This new route, designated as SFM1, will significantly improve transportation links in the region and facilitate travel for thousands of passengers.

The main advantage of the new SFM1 route is the reduction in transfer time. Previously, passengers traveling through Bologna had to spend up to 30 minutes on transfers.

Now, daily routes avoid this delay, providing more convenient and faster travel options.

There are 27 trains departing from Pianoro to Porretta or Marzabotto daily, and 30 in the opposite direction, ensuring stable and convenient service.

The travel time is approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes. Additionally, five short trips between Pianoro and Bologna have been introduced, further improving urban transportation links.

This project is supported by several significant organizations and authorities.

Specifically, it involves the Emilia-Romagna region, the municipality of Bologna, metropolitan authorities, the national infrastructure manager RFI, and the regional railway Ferrovie Emilia Romagna.

The contribution of the Emilia-Romagna region is particularly important: it invested €19.5 million in acquiring three new Pop and Rock electric trains from Alstom and Hitachi Rail to support the development of suburban transport.

Additionally, the region will allocate €5.6 million annually to ensure the operation of the SFM1 route.

Regional travel passes will be accepted on the new service, making it even more accessible to local residents.

Further expansion of services is expected to launch on September 9, following the completion of summer engineering works.

This will include regular half-hour service to Marzabotto, with extensions during peak hours to Porretta. As part of these plans, work has also begun on upgrading the Pianoro – Prato RFI line and the Bologna – Vignola FER branch.

These lines will be integrated into the expanded suburban network, significantly increasing the efficiency and convenience of travel for the region’s residents.

The new investments and improvements to Bologna’s transportation system are an important step towards creating a more sustainable and convenient transportation infrastructure.

They will not only reduce travel time for many passengers but also improve the environmental situation by increasing the share of public transport in the overall traffic flow.

This event underscores the Emilia-Romagna region’s commitment to developing a modern and efficient transport network that meets the needs of both current and future generations.

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