Trams in Florence to gain a boost

Hitachi Rail Italia has been awarded a contract for 16 air-conditioned 33.5m Sirtio trams for delivery from 2026. They will be equipped with batteries permitting operation away from overhead wire., Hitachi have also been selected to maintain 46 Sirio trams that will comprise the fleet. 

 

On 26 May, after 66 years, a tram returned to the historical centre of Florence. The test run, for the benefit of city authorities on the brand new Fortezza da Basso–Piazza San Marco route, used in both ways the track along via Cavour in the portion Piazza Libertà - San Marco, since the return track on via Lamarmora was not yet ready. The completion works on this part are behind schedule, so service is not likely to start before September or October. 

 

The left wing pro-tram parties won the June municipal elections against right wing parties, that were running their election campaign riding anti-tram sentiments against the construction of new lines in the eastern part of the city. Indeed, preparatory works for a new bridge over the Arno river, aimed to detour car traffic from the Da Verrazzano bridge that will host the tramway towards Bagno a Ripoli, have been started.