Press release -
Hitachi Rail helps to complete Milan's M4 metro line
Following an inauguration on 12th October, the South-West quadrant of Milan will now be served by the city’s metro with construction of the final section of the M4, extending to the San Cristoforo terminus, completed by Hitachi Rail.
Passengers will benefit from a new strategic infrastructure and an additional interchange with the railway hub at San Cristoforo. The line, which also crosses the Cerchia dei Navigli, creates a new diagonal axis for the city, significantly enhancing the reach of the public transport network, reducing urban traffic, improving accessibility, and promoting the transition towards an eco-friendlier public transport system.
The completion of the project follows the earlier openings of the “blue” line’s sections from Linate to Dateo, and subsequently San Babila, connecting Linate Airport to Milan’s city center in 12 minutes.
Hitachi Rail has provided 47 state-of-the-art autonomous trains, in addition to handling all activities related to the signaling system, the third rail (the vehicles' power supply systems), telecommunications technologies, the platform screen doors, the SCADA system for supervision, control, and data acquisition, the depot equipment and fare and access control systems. Hitachi Rail also delivered the ATC signaling system, based on driverless CBTC technology, offering passengers greater reliability and safety. The completed line consists of 21 stations and spans 15 kilometers.
The new trains, which can reach a maximum speed of 80 km/h, operate at a frequency of one train every 90 seconds, which can be reduced to 75 seconds during peak hours. With a capacity of up to 500 passengers per train, the completion of the new line will enable the transportation of approximately 24,000 people per hour in each direction.
According to estimates, the M4 will help avoid over 4 million car trips each year in Milan, providing significant benefits in terms of reducing air and noise pollution, with a consequent improvement in air quality. It is expected that annual CO2 emissions will be reduced by 10,310 tons, and particulate matter (PM10) by 1,511 kg.
"The completion of Line 4 represents another step forward for the citizens of Milan in the process of transitioning from private to collective mobility," said Luca D’Aquila, COO of Hitachi Rail Group and CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy. "The inauguration of the final section to San Cristoforo will have a significant environmental impact, with over 4 million fewer car trips each year. This is an achievable target, according to estimates, thanks to the comfort and reliability of our vehicles, and safety of our signalling systems, which will enable citizens to travel safely."
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About Hitachi Rail
Hitachi Rail is committed to driving the sustainable mobility transition and has a clear focus on partnering with customers to rethink mobility. Its mission is to help every passenger, customer and community enjoy the benefits of more connected, seamless and sustainable transport.
With revenues of over €7bn and 24,000 employees across more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail is a trusted partner to the world’s best transport organisations. The company's reach is global, but the business is local - with success built on developing local talent and investing in people and communities.
Its international capabilities and expertise span every part of the urban, mainline and freight rail ecosystems – from high quality manufacturing and maintenance of rolling stock to secure digital signalling, smart operations and payment systems.
Hitachi Rail, famous for Japan's iconic high speed bullet train, draws on the digital and AI expertise of Hitachi Group companies to accelerate innovation and develop new technologies. Hitachi Group is present in 140 countries with over 270,000 employees and global revenues of €54.55bn / ¥8,564 bn.
For more information, visit hitachirail.com
