Italo hopes to run trains to Germany, Netherlands, Belgium within 5 years

The Italian rail operator Italo is expanding to the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium after a 3.6 billion investment into German high-speed trains. The service will first start in Germany in 2028 and then in the Netherlands and Belgium in 2030-2031, aided by the fact that the trains in question will be suitable for operating in other European countries, which is not always the case.

Italo signed a 30-year contract with Germany's Siemens in July for 26 high-speed trains. Though built for the German market, those trains are also suitable for use in other European countries. Italo’s chief executive, Gianbattista La Rocca, stated this in an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.

However, Belgium and the Netherlands will be included a couple of years after Germany. “We are currently focusing on Germany. From there, we can reach Belgium, the Netherlands, and France if we look westward, and Poland and the countries of Eastern Europe if we look eastward,” the CEO said. The first four trains are scheduled to start operating in Germany on June 1, 2028.

“Our agreement with Siemens will enable us to be competitive not only within Germany but also internationally. When the trains are delivered, they will not only be certified for Germany but will also already be certified for Belgium and the Netherlands. Not before 2030-2031, however,” La Rocca explained.

The fleet consists of Velaro Multi System trains that Simenes previously said were manufactured at Siemens Mobility’s plant in Krefeld, Germany. “Italo Holding’s decision underscores confidence in Siemens Mobility and the Velaro, one of the world’s most successful high-speed platforms. With service in numerous countries, more than 3 billion kilometers traveled, and millions of passengers carried worldwide, the Velaro sets the standard for reliable, efficient high-speed rail,” Siemens Mobility’s CEO Mochael Peter previously said in a press release.

Speaking of Italo, the CEO said, "This long-term partnership - covering the trains and a 30-year full-service contract - is a landmark project and a strong commitment to industrial value creation and innovation made in Germany.”