Specialist wholesaler Rail Plus has added Italy’s first private rail company to its product range as deregulation of Europe’s train networks begins to take effect.
Italo will compete against Italy’s Government-owned Trenitalia and is 33% owned by Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NVT), a consortium of private investors that includes Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, chairman of Ferrari.
French state railway SNCF also has a 20% interest in Italo.
“We have brought an end to one of the longest monopolies in the history of our country,” Montezemolo said back in April. “Finally, Italian travellers and tourists can choose.”
Italo has begun 300k/h trips between Milan and Napoli via Bologna, Florence and Rome as well as non stop Milan-Rome services that extend to Salerno.
Next month services on brand new AGV trains will operate from Rome to Venice and bring the number of stations served by Italo to 12.
Trains, which are described as "ultra modern", feature three classes; smart, prima and club, and have English speaking staff.
Rail Plus national sales and marketing manager Greg McCallum said the addition of Italo will provide new competition and further expand the product range for Australian travellers.
Tickets can be booked through Rail Plus up to 50 days before departure.
Fares from Milan to Rome start from $65 in smart class.
