Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane
Name	Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane
Type	State-owned enterprise
Foundation	0 1905
Location	Rome, Italy
Key people	Nicola Zingaretti (Chairman), Luigi Ferraris (CEO)
Industry	Rail transport
Products	Railway services, infrastructure management, Logistics
Revenue	€11.6 billion (2022)
Num employees	73,000 (2022)
Homepage	https://www.fsitaliane.it

Contents

History
Organization and structure
Network and services
Rolling stock
Major projects and developments
See also

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. It is the Italian national railway company and a major state-owned enterprise, operating both rail infrastructure and train services across Italy and internationally. The group manages one of Europe's most extensive railway networks, providing critical passenger and freight transport through its various subsidiaries. Its operations are pivotal to Italy's national transport system and its integration with the broader European Union rail network.

History

The company was founded in 1905 through the nationalization of several private railway companies, including the Società per le Strade Ferrate Meridionali and the Società Italiana per le Strade Ferrate del Mediterraneo, unifying Italy's fragmented rail system. Following World War II, the network underwent significant reconstruction and modernization, with major electrification projects expanding across the Italian Peninsula. A pivotal reform occurred in 1992 when, following European Commission directives, the infrastructure management was separated from service operations, leading to the creation of Rete Ferroviaria Italiana. The early 21st century saw further expansion, including the acquisition of Trenitalia as the primary passenger operator and the launch of the Frecciarossa high-speed service, competing directly with Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori.

Organization and structure

Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane operates as a holding company, overseeing a diversified group of subsidiaries. The infrastructure division, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana, is responsible for maintaining and developing the national rail network, including high-speed lines. Trenitalia is the main passenger transport operator, managing regional, intercity, and high-speed services, while Mercitalia handles freight and logistics. Other key subsidiaries include Italferr, which provides engineering and project management, and FS Sistemi Urbani, focusing on local public transport. The group is wholly owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Network and services

The company's network spans over 16,700 kilometers, connecting major cities like Milan, Rome, Naples, and Palermo. Its flagship service is the Frecciarossa high-speed train, which operates on dedicated lines such as the Rome–Milan and Milan–Naples corridors, reaching speeds up to 300 km/h. Trenitalia also operates the Frecciargento and Frecciabianca services, along with extensive regional networks under contracts with regions like Lombardy and Tuscany. International services connect Italy with destinations including Paris, Munich, and Vienna through partnerships with operators like SNCF and ÖBB.

Rolling stock

The company's fleet is diverse and modern, led by the ETR 500 and ETR 1000 trainsets used for Frecciarossa services. Regional operations utilize the ALe 501/502 and TAF electric multiple units, while long-distance services also employ the ETR 600 and ETR 610 (also known as Astoro) trains. For freight, Mercitalia operates a large fleet of locomotives, including the E.464 and E.656 classes. Recent investments focus on sustainability, with orders for new hydrogen and battery-powered trains, and the introduction of the Pop and Rock regional trainsets from Stadler Rail.

Major projects and developments

A central ongoing project is the completion of the Terzo Valico dei Giovi, a new high-speed line between Genoa and Milan aimed at improving freight and passenger connections to the Port of Genoa. The company is also heavily involved in the Brenner Base Tunnel project, a transalpine link with Austria's ÖBB. Significant investments are being made in the southern regions, including the Naples–Bari railway upgrade. Furthermore, Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane is developing the Hyperloop technology in partnership with Virgin Hyperloop and expanding its digital ticketing and customer service platforms.