Boom ferroviario: come la concorrenza sta cambiando il trasporto a lunga distanza in Italia

Starting in 2028, Germany will see the arrival of red high-speed trains operated by the Italian company Italo, marking a significant shift in long-distance rail travel. This change has already transformed the landscape of intercity transport in Italy, where competition has led to more frequent services, improved quality, and lower prices. However, these benefits have not been evenly distributed across all regions of the country. The transformation began with substantial investments in Italy’s high-speed rail network, which laid the foundation for market competition. The expansion started in 2008, and by 2012, the private operator Italo entered the scene, initially operating on a single key route connecting Milan, Rome, and Naples. The early years were challenging, as Italo had to secure space on the tracks and within stations to establish its presence. Despite these hurdles, Italo gradually gained traction, offering faster travel times and more frequent departures compared to the state-run Trenitalia. Today, between Rome and Milan alone, over 90 daily connections are available from both Italo and Trenitalia. This increase in service options has not simply displaced Trenitalia's customers but has expanded the overall market. A study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development noted that this competitive environment has created a win-win situation for businesses and travelers alike. According to Paolo Beria, a researcher at the Technical University of Milan, the number of train services nearly doubled between 2012 and 2016, largely due to the introduction of Italo. He also pointed out that while measuring quality is subjective, there is clear evidence that having two providers on similar routes leads to better service and lower fares, between 15 and 25 percent cheaper than before. Despite these positive developments, not all parts of Italy have benefited equally. Outside the major high-speed lines connecting Milan, Rome, and Naples, regional routes on single-track lines continue to dominate. In southern Italy, particularly, the infrastructure remains underdeveloped, leaving many areas disconnected from the high-speed network. Similarly, east-west connections still face challenges, indicating that the benefits of competition have yet to reach every corner of the country. Gianbattista La Rocca, CEO of Italo, acknowledges these disparities but highlights ongoing efforts to improve connectivity. Several high-speed projects are currently underway, including the completion of the Milan, Genoa line and the Rome, Bari route. These projects, he explains, take time, often spanning several years, and reflect the broader trend of continued investment in Italy’s railway system. As the Italo train continues its journey toward Milan, the experience of passengers like Vincenzo Ioia illustrates the impact of this evolving transportation model. For him, the train offers a reliable and efficient means of travel, reducing his reliance on cars and saving valuable time. His regular trips between Rome and Milan underscore how competition has reshaped the expectations of business travelers. Yet, the story of progress in Italy’s rail sector remains complex, shaped by both opportunity and persistent challenges.