Circumvesuviana's first new-generation train debuts

Naples – After years of announcements, delays, and bureaucratic hurdles, the first new Circumvesuviana train has finally entered service. This is the ETR301, the first train built by Stadler as part of EAV's fleet renewal plan. It began operating yesterday on the Volla-Baiano line, the section connecting the Nolano and Bassa Irpinia regions to Naples, currently limited to Volla due to work on the Centro Direzionale station.

The new train was inaugurated by commuters on one of the busiest lines in recent months, often forced to deal with service disruptions, replacement buses, and significant disruption.

For this first phase, the new train will make four daily trips, marking the transition from the pre-operation phase, during which the trains run without passengers for testing, to the actual entry into commercial service.

A project born years ago and slowed down by unforeseen events

The arrival of the new train represents the culmination of a journey that began several years ago. The agreement between EAV and Stadler was signed in 2021 by then-president Umberto De Gregorio, while the tender process had already begun in 2019 before being delayed by an appeal to the Regional Administrative Court.

Subsequently, the project faced a long series of difficulties: from the Covid-19 pandemic to the war in Ukraine, which altered the production plans initially planned for Belarus, as well as logistical problems, weather events, and administrative delays.

Despite everything, the new train has finally arrived on the Circumvesuviana tracks.

A quiet debut: EAV keeps a low profile

The launch of the service took place without any official ceremonies or press conferences. There was no public announcement from EAV management, but only an internal service order regulating the use of the new vehicle.

This decision was also welcomed by commuters' committees, who emphasized that the new direction, with fewer proclamations and greater concreteness, represents an encouraging sign.

According to traveler representatives, however, the real test will be the company's ability to concretely improve the punctuality, frequency, and reliability of its service while awaiting the new business plan.

Critical issues remain: personnel and infrastructure under observation

The arrival of the first Stadler, however, does not erase the critical issues that have plagued the Circumvesuviana for years.

Among the main concerns highlighted by unions and workers is the length of the train. The ETR301 measures 40 meters and 88 centimeters, approximately 88 centimeters longer than the traditional Vesuviana trains, a difference that could create problems in some stations with particularly short platforms.

The other issue concerns personnel. Currently, only three or four train drivers are certified to operate the new vehicle. They will gradually train their colleagues.

According to the Orsa union, managing a technologically more advanced convoy requires specific training not only for driving but also for dealing with any technical emergencies, training that cannot be improvised quickly.

The fleet is growing, but renewal will still take time

Meanwhile, the delivery of the new vehicles continues. Thirteen Stadler trains have already physically arrived in Naples, with the last one unloaded a few days ago at the San Giovanni station.

The authorization process for the first train was the most complex, as it required all the initial certifications. For the other twelve trains, the procedures should be quicker.

However, it remains clear that a single new train cannot solve the chronic shortcomings of the Circumvesuviana rolling stock. EAV has set a goal of putting 56 new trains into service, but deliveries are scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

Until then, improving service will depend on the company's ability to manage the delicate transition phase between old and new vehicles, ensuring continuity for commuters who use the Vesuvian network every day.