Hitachi Rail Secures €481.6 Million Turin Metro Line 2 Contract

TURIN, ITALY – Hitachi Rail has been awarded a €481.6 million contract by Turin’s infrastructure authority, Infra.To, to deliver a turnkey system for the new Metro Line 2. The agreement covers the design and supply of fully automated rolling stock and a Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling system. The first phase of the new line is scheduled for commissioning in 2033.

What Does This Contract Cover?

The contract’s scope includes the base Rebaudengo–Porta Nuova section, valued at €388.5 million, and a €93.1 million optional extension from Porta Nuova to Policlinico. Hitachi Rail will deliver driverless trains based on Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) standards and the associated CBTC signalling infrastructure. The contract also includes a digital asset management solution designed to use real-time data for predictive maintenance, a key feature for optimising lifecycle costs. The final configuration of Line 2 is planned to extend approximately 28km with 31 stations.

Key Contract Data

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The value of this integrated contract is consistent with other recent large-scale European metro automation projects. For example, while part of a much larger civil engineering program, Alstom’s contracts for the Grand Paris Express involve similar turnkey provisions of rolling stock and Urbalis CBTC signalling. Hitachi Rail itself has a strong track record in Italy, having previously supplied the GoA4 system for Milan’s Line 4. The specific cost-per-kilometre for the Turin technology package was not disclosed, which prevents a direct financial comparison with projects like the Copenhagen Metro, another flagship Hitachi Rail automated system. However, procuring both trains and signalling from a single supplier is an established strategy to de-risk complex system integration.

Editor’s Analysis

This award solidifies Hitachi Rail’s position as a leading supplier of automated metro solutions in Europe and demonstrates the increasing client demand for integrated rolling stock, signalling, and digital maintenance packages. The investment fits into a wider pattern of transport modernization in Italy, where the railway signalling market is forecast to grow at a compound annual rate of 4.54% between 2026 and 2034 (Source: Market Data Forecast). The nine-year delivery timeline to 2033 is ambitious but typical for greenfield metro projects, reflecting the long-term capital planning required for such infrastructure.

FAQ

Q: What is GoA4 automation?
A: Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) is the highest level of train automation, where the system operates fully unattended without any staff on board. All functions, including starting, stopping, door operation, and handling emergency situations, are controlled remotely by the CBTC system.

Q: How many trains are included in the contract?
A: The number of trainsets was not disclosed in the initial announcement. However, each train will have a capacity of 404 passengers, including dedicated spaces for bicycles and passengers with reduced mobility.

Q: What is the significance of the digital asset management solution?
A: This system uses sensors and AI to monitor the health of trains and infrastructure in real time. It enables a shift from fixed-schedule maintenance to predictive maintenance, which can reduce downtime, extend asset life, and lower operational costs for the operator, Infra.To.