Emilia-Romagna regional trains see passenger growth in summer 2026

Regional train services in Emilia-Romagna saw a significant increase in usage during the summer of 2026, with over 7.3 million passengers traveling in July and August. This represents a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year.

Key growth areas included direct weekend connections between Milan and the northern Romagna coast, which saw 110,000 passengers, an 8.4% rise year-over-year. Other notable routes included services between Piedmont and the Riviera with over 88,000 passengers, and connections between Venice and Cattolica used by approximately 20,000 people. The Orobica Line, connecting Lombardy to the Riviera using high-capacity double-decker Rock trains, recorded 79,000 users.

Additionally, the summer season featured the Eurocity direct service between Zurich and Rimini, providing a new international link between Switzerland and nine cities in Emilia-Romagna, including Bologna and Cesena. Regional President Michele de Pascale noted that the data reflects a growing preference for public transport during leisure time, aiming to reduce car traffic and emissions.