To mark the centenary of the Vigezzina-Centovalli railway line, the first of eight new trainsets built by the Swiss company Stadler was presented today. The new multiple units meet the ever-increasing demands for comfort, reliability and safety for public transport and tourism in the region.
The new trains have been designed to meet the needs of an increasingly diversified clientele: they offer spaces reserved for families, with dedicated areas for prams and pushchairs, facilities equipped for small travellers, and accessible areas for wheelchair users.
For the more sporty, bicycle transport has been introduced, with the possibility of loading up to 3-4 two-wheelers per train. The modern design and spacious interior provide more seating capacity, ranging from 109 to 142 seats. The on-board information system is dynamic and real-time, providing passengers with an increasingly personalised experience. The entire fleet will be operational by mid-2025.
The support of the Confederation and the canton
Martin von Känel, Head of the Financing Division of the Federal Office of Transport, said: ‘In regional passenger traffic, which is ordered and co-financed by the canton and the federal government, FART is one of the few metre-gauge railway companies providing a connection between Switzerland and another country. The commissioning of the 8 new vehicles, together with the upgrading of the stations, will ensure a more modern and quality service in the face of the increase in users’. Claudio Zali, Director of the Department of Territory, pointed out that the replacement of the – by now obsolete – Centovallina trains, ‘is part of the adaptation to the parameters of accessibility established by law, in particular for the disabled. The new fleet of trains will also make it possible to respond to changes in terms of the frequency of connections’.
Unique, ‘tailor-made’ trains
Paolo Caroni, president of FART, emphasised: ‘A few weeks ago, the new Stadler train was presented at the InnoTrans fair in Berlin, where it received great praise for its innovations in technology and design. As far as regional traffic is concerned, ‘the new trains will increase capacity and improve frequency, with an hourly service between Locarno and Camedo and, from 2028, a half-hourly service between Locarno and Intragna’. Florian Weiss, FART project manager at Stadler Bussnang AG, explained that these trains are ‘tailor-made’ and unique: ‘Stadler is also proud to contribute to the modernisation of the Centovallina. The trains are built in Switzerland for Switzerland. They convince with new, customised innovations completed in a harmonious design that reflects the landscape in which they run. In compliance with the Disabled Persons Act, the trains enable FART to guarantee reliable and punctual operations. The new design and interior layout of the trains provide a new level of comfort for passengers, increase the safety of passengers and staff, and characterise the appearance of the new Centovallina’.
New impetus for the regional and Swiss tourism sector
‘The fascinating Centovallina is one of our most attractive railway lines,’ emphasised Luca Giordani, Head of Touring at Switzerland Tourism. ‘It is also a strategically important link between the Gotthard and Simplon lines and thus forms part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland as a particularly beautiful connecting route. Our global tourism marketing always benefits when a tourism product is perfectly combined with picturesque scenery’.
New trains, new names: here are the competition winners
At today’s press conference, the names of the new trains chosen by the public as part of the ‘New trains, new emotions’ competition were announced. The trainsets will bear the following names: Madonna del Sasso, Piazza Grande, Ghiridone, Comino, Città Vecchia, Rasa, Isole di Brissago and Bordei.
