Italian rail updates: Calabria passenger demand and Rome-Naples network upgrades

Trenitalia has released official data for the first half of 2026 regarding Frecciarossa service demand in northern Calabria. The connections serving Paola, Scalea, Sibari, and Torano Castello recorded a total of 42,797 passengers and revenues of 671,769 euros. Rome remains the primary destination, with the Rome-Sibari route leading with 10,055 passengers. Notably, demand for routes toward Bologna has surpassed travel toward Verona, Trento, and Bolzano.

Separately, Rete Ferroviaria Italiana (RFI) has completed the first phase of a telecommunications upgrade on the Rome-Naples high-speed/high-capacity line. This phase, covering the Rome Termini-Anagni section, is part of a 30 million euro investment in network digitalization. The project included the installation of 64 kilometers of new fiber optics, 26 new radio sites, and the implementation of MPLS-TP and IP infrastructure to enhance communication between ground systems and trains, supporting the ERTMS/ETCS Level 2 signaling technology.