The Mercitalia Fast pilot project, which operated in Italy between 2018 and 2022, has ended definitively with the decision to scrap the ETR 500 train adapted for this service.
This innovative experiment, the first in Europe, used a high-speed train modified for freight transport, with Amazon as the only customer.
The service connected the Maddaloni terminal near Naples with the Bologna Interporto intermodal hub. Despite initial expectations, the project faced criticism from the outset, mainly due to its dependence on a single customer.
The decision to dismantle the modified train signals the definitive end of this initiative, which sought to revolutionise rail freight transport in Europe.
While increasing the speed of freight transport remains an important objective in the sector, the Mercitalia Fast case suggests that high-speed rail freight transport may not be feasible at present, especially considering the existing infrastructure constraints and the high operating costs.